[g3e0]

I've also suffered from depression, and am now on meds. I can honestly say they have changed my life for the better, with no side effects (other than an initial 3 days of tiredness, which wore off).

However, there are a few caveats:

I am convinced that the placebo effect is so powerful, that if you believe the meds will harm you, they actually could. I can't back this up with science, but I think the only reason meds worked for me is because I was able to lose the negative preconceptions I had about them (same for therapy). Unfortunately, negative perception of antidepressants is so prevalent that this is very difficult (but doable).

Antidepressants shouldn't make you feel numb. Neither are they "happy pills". The goal of them is, in theory, to stop you feeling depressed _over nothing_. What they will hopefully do is bring you back to a stable normality, encompassing the entire range of normal human emotions.

Curing your depression will not automatically make you happy (but it will certainly help you on your way) – Only living a happy and fulfilling life, full of people you care about and things you enjoy, can do that.

You also need to give your body the best chance, by making sure no basic aspect of your life is severely lacking - sleep, food/drink, exercise, family/friends/social, hobbies that give you a feeling of accomplishment etc.

[type0]

> I am convinced that the placebo effect is so powerful, that if you believe the meds will harm you, they actually could.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nocebo

[buss]

This is a great answer, thank you for sharing!