Hey there
Welcome to this great place, where there are so many wonderful members that offer support an valuable information.
If I were you I'd start with having a physical, and thyroid function screening (bloodwork) sometimes depression or the symptoms of it can come from some underlying physical problem, some examples; Lymes disease, Hypothyroidism, Diabetes, hormone imbalances, etc. so first I'd rule anything that physically may be the cause. If everything checks out okay, I'd talk to my doc about this and see if he or she can refer me to a mental health specialist for further evaluation, maybe only some talk therapy is what you'll need.
Don't be so doubting of AD's, there are also mood stabilizers that may be needed and not AD's or both to get you on the right track, and they are NOT always taken for life, none of us like to take a med lifelong but if it brings hope and sets you back to the person you were and felt good then, it is worth trying.
There are so many different meds that can help, it takes time for a pdoc to "fit" you with the right one or sometimes you'll be lucky and be prescribed one that clicks right of way.
If your depression turns out to be linked to hypothyroidism, thyroid meds can work wonders, Synthroid is a popular one here in the US, helping many people return their thyroid functions to normal. Whatever, check this out, life is too short to be miserable. . . I know I've been there, I take meds and probably will have to for life, mypdoc says, but it has helped me greatly, after menopause my pdoc says I may not need them but either way I can deal with it if I will need them.
There is no shame in taking medication for depression, or any other mental disorders, it is ashame if we deny ourselves of the possiblity of feeling better and enjoying life.
We always need to keep in mind that not every day of our lives is going to be "up", we get our days that aren't so great bbut if those kind of days are lasting more than 3 weeks, it is time to seek help.
I wish you lots of luck with this and hope you will feel free to come and visit this site, even let us know how things work out for you. I feel once you see a doc and go over this with him or her you will start to feel better, never give up, things you thought impossible now, can become the possible and you can find "balance" once again

Please take care,
DE

In giving advice seek to help, not please your friend
SOLON