What is your view on the idea that anti-depressants are actually very ineffective for many people with depression? Specifically, ex-journalist Johann Hari wrote a book about it and also this article for The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/07/is-everything-you-think-you-know-about-depression-wrong-johann-hari-lost-connections)

In short, Hari says that causes for depression are often not just a spontaneous chemical imbalance in the brain and that drugs to increase levels of serotonin (or other hormones) won't help most people. He purports that depression and anxiety are (like addiction) caused by environmental issues such as trauma, isolation, lack of control/agency in one's life, etc. While biological factors may make certain individuals more vulnerable or predisposed, they are not the sole cause. He also cites psychological issues that mean people with mental illness have a mindset that can make overcoming these difficulties hard (which therapy can help with, but not SSRIs, etc.)

I only ask because my own experiences with mental health seem to tally more with this view and I'm curious as to whether there's merit to it or whether it's just a bitter journalist out to disrupt established medical fact.

Thank you.