Hacker News Reader

Medication does work. I had depression for about a year, and they gave me Paroxetine. It is very effective. It was a bit complicated to get off the med, as I got some side effects when I stopped (sensations of falling down, that kind of thing).

Anyway, probably best to talk to a doctor about it.

Hypericum extract is supposed to help in episodes of mild depression and is much less problematic that strong meds.

View on HN

These medications carry black box warnings from the FDA, which means they should be used as a last resort due to significant side effects. It's great that they worked for you, but they are objectively very dangerous and should not be used unless absolutely necessary.

Depression is potentially fatal.

Thirty percent of all clinically depressed patients attempt suicide; half of them ultimately succeed in taking their own life.

It is crystal clear that the risk–benefit ratio is in favor of antidepressants.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com