Wendy - I try not to look at diagnoses; I know it has to be done to keep the books straight. Besides, I wasn't trained in diagnosis, so I can't do it; I really don't like labels. I do know that there are no cures in psychiatry only "bandages" that help us tolerate, and sometimes enjoy, life. We just have our symptoms treated, regardless of what we have to put on the "chronic illness" space on the insurance forms.

As for the SJW, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If it works for you stick with it. You should (preferably) choose a brand that is "standardized" on the label; and use the same brand everytime (to ensure that you are getting a consistent dosage).

SJW is working at the exact same receptors that prescription antidepressants do (ie. block the reuptake of serotonin into the pre-synaptic neuron). If you have to go on prescription meds, keep the dose low, perhaps a "cleaner" antidepressant, like citalopram (Celexa™). It is "cleaner" in that it doesn't bind to many receptors other than the serotonin reuptake receptors. Some of the side effects of medication are the drug molecule "binding" to these other receptors. It is these differences in binding that make one SSRI different than another.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam