On antidepressants ... there is a middle ground, but I would talk this over with a holistic doctor who is familiar first. There are some amino acid (AA) protocols that tweak serotonin and dopamine levels (serotonin isn't the only thing that affects feelings of well-being). However, they work through healthcare practitioners -- don't grab some 5-HTP off a health-store shelf and expect results. (That's only 15% effective.) If you think you might need to address depression medically, this is ONE route you can take.
There is also the possibility to combine antidepressants and AA therapy, which I think is superior to antidepressants alone because antidepressants, depending on their target and function, can deplete serotonin and dopamine (they prevent reuptake, which means that they function better but clear more quickly as well).
Other than that, I can't add to the comments here. And yes, I do take AAs for depression.
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