[Attalus]

Anti-depressives do treaat the problem if it is a chemicla imbalance, like lo-serotonin levels. The SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) like Paxil relly do help many of my patients, and few of them remainon them more than six months. They are particularly valuable in age-related depression and post-partum depression. Of course, they should not be used indiscriminately, and, as Ziroc says, physical causes such as anemia should be ruled out first, but I find that it is rare for anything to turn up on most screenings. Depression seems to be under-diagnosed rather than over, IMHO, and frequently vague, chronic illnesses can be rooted in it. Of couse, there is a certain social stigma attached to taking them, as this thread amply proves, and I find that it is difficult to get anyone to take Prozac anymore, just because of the rumors and "Prozac Nation" stories. Pity, it is very useful in the elderly, especially.