Yes, as amazing as it sounds antidepressants do not likely work in the majority of patients that use them. But any clinician that has treated depressed patients will clearly relate many success stories of using them.

How can this possibly be reconciled?

Easy. Up to 75 percent of the response of antidepressants can be duplicated by placebo. If you take a pill that you think will make you better, there is a strong likelihood you will manifest that intention. Your mind can produce very powerful effects and resolving depression is certainly one of them.

Last year another insightful report in the British Medical Journal argued brilliantly that antidepressants offer no meaningful benefit and emotional problems can be better handled without taking a toxic drug.

Now there's another health-harming reason to stay away from them. This re-analysis of part of the Diabetes Prevention Program that was presented at the annual American Diabetes Association meeting showed that those who took antidepressants had a 2-300 percent increase in diabetes.

Now diabetes will kill you slowly but suicide is far quicker. The link between suicide and antidepressants is so strong that the drugs have been mandated to have suicide precaution warnings.

This is yet more evidence you should be avoiding antidepressants altogether, and using safer, healthier options that have nothing at all to do with taking a pill, to treat the true cause of your problem:

• Take a high-quality fish oil or krill oil. If you haven't read Dr. Stoll's book on this subject, it is highly recommended. He is an enlightened Harvard psychiatrist who has written an outstanding book on the topic.
• Start an exercise program today, as it clearly is one of the best-kept secrets for depression.
• Learn how to use an energy psychology tool like the Emotional Freedom Technique. Energy psychology tools are one of the most powerful methods I know of and really are a crucial element of a successful treatment program.

For serious problems it would be prudent to not treat yourself with EFT and to contact a health care professional who is trained in the technique. You can use the list of EFT Practitioner Referrals compiled by Gary Craig.