Welcome to the forums, Linda. I am sorry that you are feeling so bad.

I first started feeling depressed as a teenager. Whether you were abroad or in the US, I don't think there was much available. I would get put on librium from time to time.

Effexor is now working for me. I can only hope that if it stops working, a new generation of meds will be available. Other approaches that help me are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy -- both used on my own and with a T -- and prayer. I tend to think that meds alone cannot be a magic wand that fixes everything but that a multi-pronged attack is needed. Plus, I think some people have a lower bottom and a lower ceiling on how "good" they will ever feel.

My heart goes out to you. Please keep posting.