Medication to treat depression come in several forms/brands. They work by altering specific brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, or noradrenaline that are involved in the process of regulating your mood on a day-to-day basis.

The different types have unique actions but also side effects especially at the begining of taking them. They can be very effective in helping treat the depressive symptoms and other certain conditions associated with anxiety too. However, it is important to think carefully about starting them because once initiated:

• They need to be taken regularly to avoid withdrawal side effects.
• take time to take effect
• may interact with other medication
• a course of treatment can be lengthy (usually 4-6 months or more)

Although they can help to relieve the symptoms , they are not neceessarily the cure and in most cases of depression, GP's will stress the importance of understanding and exploring the potential triggers /causes that preceeded to making you feel depressed. It is important to help develop better insight into your mind and mental health generally, and also to develop better coping strategies for the future to prevent recurrence of depression. This will come from several sources including psychotherapy, councelling, exercise, self-help online resources and books which most of can be accessed through this website.

We would recommend you make a routine appointment with a GP, if you are keen to explore the idea of taking anti-depressant. 

The website Mind.org has lots useful further information on the subject.