I was on effexsor for a couple of years, and in conjuction with counseling, really found that it helped alot. I had no side effects. For me, the medication didn't erase any of my 'problems', but, it did make me feel like I was able to battle them without breaking down. I think I benefitted from the counseling, and am totally for having a professional to talk things over with. For me, I didn't think it was a mood disorder, but, rather situational depression.

I also think that having a positive outlook, in conjunction with a great support system, and a certain amount of "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" CAN help. It doesn't solve anything, but, it is more productive than lying in bed all day long, even if that is what you feel like. There were times when I didn't want to leave the house, and my mom would say, "come on, we are going.....". And, I went. Did it make things great? Nope, but, they weren't worse, and, it did, for the moment, lessen the pain. In a way, I 'fought' the depression. On my own, and it failed. With help, things got better, over time.