Chemical imbalance is to blame in very few cases IMHO, it's just an excuse to get drugs and not deal with the reality of your situation.
Drugs are too often given to treat the symptoms, while the main problem goes unaddressed
Exactly. When the drugs are removed, the problem will remain, creating a dependency.
Okay. First off, in order to treat depression. Theres to steps.
Step One: Medication. If you feel like crap and a depressed you are very unlikely to change things in your life.
Step Two: Counseling. Talking about and making changes in your life.
Medication isnt supposed to be the fix. Its supposed to help you fix the problem. Any Dr. that allows a patient to stay on meds forever should have his license revoked.
Medication is just the first step as I said. You arent meant to stay on it forever, unless you truely do have severe mental problems(more than just depression).
But like I said, if you feel like sh!t you are not likely to change anything. You have to be in a good mood, a positive mood to make life changes. Drs arent over prescribing medications, people just think meds will solve the problem and typically dont do what the Dr says, see a counselor.
So to sum it up. If you are depressed for more than two weeks. You should see a Dr. Get medication. See a Counselor. Make changes in life. Go off medication. See Dr and Counselor periodically(say every 3 months), to make sure things are still okay.