In a message dated 12/1/98 5:57:50 PM Pacific Standard Time, Kate Hallberg
writes:

<<  I think SSRI's have some real advantages over the herbal
 route- it's covered by insurance, and the dosage is better regulated.
 As a loooong term depressed person, I'm very fond of SSRI's.  I
 remember the days of tri-cyclics and wouldn't want to have to return
 to them.

 I do think herbs are great for some things like increasing milk,
 healing salves for minor wounds, and many other things, but depression
 isn't something to mess around with.
  >>

I have tried the variety of SSRI's and very much hated the side effects (the
depression made me tired enough, why would I want to take something that made
me even more tired!)  I also didn't find that they helped that much.  Either
that or I was more depressed because of the side effects.  I use the St.
John's wort and have found it extremely effective.  Without any side effects.
Just one more person's experience.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zena K. Gresham
WIC breastfeeding Peer Counselor, LC in training
SO. NV Breastfeeding Taskforce President
ICQ# 23200192