Maybe I can add some insight. I'm currently in pharmacy school. Anti-depressants can work, if you have the right one. It really depends on the underlying cause of the depression. If it's due to low levels of serotonin, then SSRI's like fluoxetine will work. But that doesn't work for everyone and sometimes the side effects aren't worth it. MAOI's work for others, but same deal. Also there's the pesky problem of them having to build up adequate levels in the blood. Basically it can take over a month to actually have an effect. And sometimes the side effects are only temporary until your body gets used to it. It's different for everyone.