I know that most of the people on this board are older than me, and sometimes people discard what younger people say on account of having 'less experience' or whatever, but please listen to what I'm going to say...
I want to give you guys hope: I started a supplement 'med' a week ago and I feel it definately working. At first I thought it could be the placebo effect or just a random elevation in mood, but I really don't feel that way anymore as my better moods have never lasted this long. I feel like MYSELF again, after years - 6 years ago is when things started to go wrong for me. Now, I am feeling a change - a change for the better.
I'm on 5-htp and L-Theanine. I'll give you the basics for the 5-htp:

1. 5-htp is what is needed to make/release serotonin. Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression and other mental illhealth issues.

2. Benefits - it is a natural amino acid; it does not cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it; it does not cause weight gain (rather it has been linked to weight LOSS due to reduced carbohydrate/sugar cravings which depressed minds can crave); it does not cause suicidal thoughts, which some popular anti-depressants can do; it works VERY quickly compared to anti-depressants; it can help with insomnia; it is available through health food stores and you don't have to go to the doctor/pharmacy to ask for it... If all it's doing is helping serotonin to be released, it seems a much more natural and safer alternative to pharmaceutical meds. They are B.A.D.

3. Negative aspects - it costs quite a lot. Mine cost 25 for 90 tablets, and you take either 1 or 2 per day; some people report side-effects such as nausea, diarrhea, insomnia (bear in mind people are always going to think they're being affected by a med...in both positive and negative ways... so not necessarily the med's fault...but worth taking into consideration); it hasn't been in use long enough for people to know the full effects, long-term etc; it may be hard to obtain in certain countries/areas; it may not work. I can't think of any other negative aspects that I've read about... certainly I have not experienced any bad side effects.

I feel so peaceful and...'normal'...finally I feel like Me again. I really hope you guys look into it; I hope my info was good and accurate - however do check for yourself because I may have missed some things out/made mistakes...

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/categories.asp?cid=137/

http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/alternative-treatments/5-htp-serotonin-connection/menu-id-68/

Please at least check it out, because if it's helping me then it's worth other people trying it, right..?
I know how pessimistic our minds can be when depressed, but honestly...I wouldn't be saying all this stuff if I didn't mean it and have faith in it.