Hi Wallgazer,
"Is there anyone out there who trully knows that they have completely conquered their depression, and can tell me how they did it?"
I don´t think my depression will ever go away. I suffer from a chemical imbalance, plus I miss my addiction highs and I´m neurotic. My illness will probably demand my life long respect, but I try to keep it down with medication, my profession in the creative arts, and abstaining from drugs and alcohol as it makes the depression worse. Plus I don´t want to loose control the way I did before.
I know of one person who seems cured. I use to work in the pshyciatric hospitals in Paris when I was in University to pay for my studies. I met some one who had struggle with his depression for decades. He got electro shocks and he hasn´t had an episode in 15 years. He started a totally new life, new career, new wife.
Best of luck to you.