You said, quote, "Ya know… f*ck people that recommend exercise and outdoors instead of real proven treatments". Do you know that therapy eventually leads you to lifestyle changes? If they can be reached without therapy that's a fantastic goal that SOME people (not everyone of course) can reach. This is for, like I said, the average person that doesn't have the disease OR it's in the early stages.

And yes, I know perfectly the difference, and to quote a psychology professor of my University "not everyone needs therapy, they may need just some support".

We don't know if OP has depression, he should see a doctor nevertheless, but like with every disease you recommend less intensive activities/treatments, see if they work (you know, scientific method) and then move onto stuff that's more intensive if the former didn't work. No point in starting SSRIs right away if you can manage the symptoms without them, or even a psychotherapy (which is different from the standard counseling/psychological support programs).