While I enjoy some tv shows and movies, I think some of them also scare people away from taking anti-depressants or other meds; the entertainment world shows too many personality changes from taking meds and rarely have I seen shows/movies that show the positive effects. TV ads for anti-depressants (or any meds) don't help with all their warnings/side effects either. Keep in mind that's lawyer speak on behalf of the pharm. companies caused by too many lawsuits. I'm just tossing this number in the air so don't quote me, but if one person out of 1,000 has a bad side effect/reaction, expect a warning about it. Don't know if this is causing your fear of meds or not.

I'm like you in that I have lost interest in things I really used to enjoy.

I am taking an anti-anxiety med which is at least semi-controversial, but it does work for me. The problem is finding an anti-depressant med that works. Unfortunately everyone is different and I guess that's why it's so difficult to find meds that do work. Hate to say this, but you will feel like a guinea pig in finding the proper med(s) for you and perhaps lose hope that you will find something (that's about where I am now). But at least for me and all I've tried, they haven't affected my inner personality; they've just caused some side effects I didn't care for (nothing major) and the benefits weren't worth it. So on to the next, and next... But with every med that doesn't "agree" with me, I will stop taking it

First you need to find a doctor or shrink that you can connect with (which can be easier said than done - been there, doing that). And just hope like I am that there is a medication out there that's right for you. I don't know if what I've written helps at all, but it is what I've experienced and going through now.