Depression and Anxiety is an illness that is based on a chemical imbalance with your body... Major stress tends to exaggerate the chemical balance further.... I tried many of them over +3 decades of having to use antidepressants, but for me,

I found Effexor XL @ 100mg per day completely balances my depression feeling completely.... A new formulation based on the same chemistry as Effexor is now call Pristiq - it works just as well, but is significantly more expensive because there is no generic for it.

Also I treat my anxiety with Buspar @ 15mg - 3 times a day... It eliminate the instant flood of tears I would otherwise have.... and been using in generic form also. Both of these medications are old school, with very minimal side effects.... My doctor suggested chewing gum to get rid of the dry mouth feeling some talk about that is sometimes associated with using antidepressants, it works well and typically the need to chew gum goes away as you body chemistry adjust to these meds... Alan

Fighting depression is tough. Anti-depressants are out there. I've had tons. Been off them for 2 years. I do keep a daily journal. I suggest you start a gratitude journal (GJ). Every day or several times a week write 5 things for which you are grateful. For each thing explain why. Keep adding new things. Evidence shows keeping a GJ, reduces blood pressure, eases anxiety, and perhaps depression. GJ may seem forced at 1st but keep at it. As you get into habit, hopefully you'll look forward these periods of positive reflection. You can even find an APP for a GJ. GJ helped me.

However, there are people for whom medication for depression is absolutely necessary. We must be careful not to contradict medical advice for these people. If in doubt seek a second medical opinion, or third even. Depression is a chemical imbalance and must not be treated lightly.

I'm not familiar with it either... but here what I found.... Alan

GABA: Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid

Gamma-Amino Butyric acid (GABA) is an amino acid which acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It inhibits nerve transmission in the brain, calming nervous activity. As a supplement it is sold and promoted for these neurotransmitter effects as a natural tranquilizer. It is also touted as increasing Human Growth Hormone levels and is popular among body builders. The published research supporting any of these promotional claims is weak. Current medical opinion says that GABA taken as a supplement does not reach the brain and has no effect or benefit aside from being a benign placebo.

Many websites claim that the neurotransmitter GABA was discovered in Berlin in 1863, which is an outlandish claim. The concept of neurotransmitters had yet to be conceived of. It is more likely that GABA was isolated and identified as an amino acid in 1863. It was 87 years later, in 1950, that Eugene Roberts and J. Awapara discovered that GABA acted as an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

GABA'S ROLE IN THE BRAIN

GABA is made in brain cells from glutamate, and functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter – meaning that it blocks nerve impulses. Glutamate acts as an excitatory neurotransmitter and when bound to adjacent cells encourages them to “fire” and send a nerve impulse. GABA does the opposite and tells the adjoining cells not to “fire”, not to send an impulse.

Without GABA, nerve cells fire too often and too easily. Anxiety disorders such as panic attacks, seizure disorders, and numerous other conditions including addiction, headaches, Parkinson's syndrome, and cognitive impairment are all related to low GABA activity. GABA hinders the transmission of nerve impulses from one neuron to another. It has a calming or quieting influence. A good example to help understand this effect is caffeine. Caffeine inhibits GABA release. The less GABA, the more nerve transmissions occur. Think what too much coffee feels like: that is the sensation of glutamate without enough GABA.

http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/GABA.html

I was on Welbutrin for several years before the PD diagnosis for depression. The psychiatrist at Shands added Effexor and then I weaned off the Welbutrin. I used to start to cry over the smallest thing, like no longer being a cantor at my church because I cannot trust my voice anymore. With the Effexor I am able to accept what I can and cannot do without the tears. No anti-anxiety meds needed at this time.