I know your story, but how did you actually stop the depression?
Honestly? I haven't completely. I still get little bouts of it now and then, and it's almost harder now that I know people care, if that makes sense. At first I just sort of pushed it away. Out of sight, out of mind, you know? But that doesn't really work too well. So now, I've pulled it out, acknowledged that it's there, sort of like a cold or a fever, get all of it out of your system, but to do that you have to push through it. Ultimately though, I think what's helped is time. Time, people, and trust.
I can't speak for everyone, since everyone's situation is different, but for me it was those three, in that order. It took me time to be able to open up to people again, and then it took time and people for me to able to trust again. There are times when I get a little paranoid that I might be cutting myself off and retreating again, and those times scare me. Not because I think it's true, but because I even considered it. My mind is scarred and battered now, but I have to deal with that. I may never be completely free of it, but I don't have to let it control me anymore.
I hope this was somewhat coherent, and I'm sorry I took so long answering it :)