Antidepressants aren't an easy answer. Finding the correct med can take a few tries, lots of trial and error, and I don't know too many people who would ever truly call them "happy pills". That isn't what they do.

Most people who choose to take antidepressants do so for a limited amount of time. For some, it may be a necessity for a much more extended period of time. Again, since the reasons for needed antidepressants vary and the severity and types of depression vary, it is not something that anyone here can answer for you.

I didn't go onto antidepressants to get "happy". I went on antidepressants because my depression was so severe that I was unable to function and was suicidal. My plan/hope was that antidepressants would help lift enough of that depression that I could function again.

They did help me. The depression didn't go completely away; no one ever promised me it would. But I was able to get back to the work of life. My ability to participate in psychotherapy was greatly improved as my thinking cleared and I began to be able to feel again. I have been able to continue working and living which is a good thing.

Sometimes my antidepressant medication has to be adjusted or changed completely; that doesn't necessarily happen with everyone, but it is how it has gone for me. Sometimes the depression gets worse; sometimes much worse. But my diagnosis is bipolar disorder so it presents a bit differently than depressive disorder.

I hope you will do some research so you will feel comfortable with whatever decision you make. Educating yourself is really important though.