Not sure where you get these statistics from but there are varied forms of depression and the treatment is according to the subtype. Not everyone with depression will become okay in 6-12mo with/without medicines. The fact that you have dysfunction when you suddenly stop medicines is evidence of the fact that the medicines are working. So please talk to your Psychiatrist.  If a certain class of anti depressants doesn't work,then you can be shifted to another class. Also,you should considering starting some form of therapy. If nothing works then theres other forms of treatment like rTMS, ECT etc

Very good doubt Antidepressants help prevent total dysfunction, suicidality, improve quality of life Help you cope with stress. If you haven't improved then revisit of diagnosis and or management is called for.

The main aim of treatment with antidepressants is to relieve the symptoms of depression, such as feeling very sad and exhausted, and prevent them from coming back. The medications are designed to restore emotional balance and help people to get on with everyday life. They are also taken to relieve symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, sleep problems and suicidal thoughts.