Well, there are some decent alternatives out there, but it kinda depends on what you're suffering from. 5-HTP is an excellent serotonin precursor that I felt almost immediately. It works differently than SSRIs in that it actually increases the amount of serotonin in the brain rather than just inhibiting its reuptake. I've also heard good things about SAM-e, but am not sure how it works. St. John's Wort is an MAO-type herb that "promotes a positive mood" and has worked wonders for my roommate.

For anxiety, insomnia, and obsessive-type disorders, Valerian root works wonders. It's effects are similar to Valium, but it's neither addictive nor toxic if taken in the recommended amounts. I also take that to help with sleep problems and some of my friends take it for anxiety.

In addition to herbs like St. John's Wort and Korean Ginseng, there are other natural ways to boost serotonin, such as eating foods that lead to serotonin production--walnuts are the best--and getting plenty of sunlight and exercise. Of course, if you have a more complex disorder like bipolar disorder, true OCD, or schizophrenia, these more modest approaches will likely prove insufficient. Many bipolar people are found to have a problem metabolizing acetylcholine and should therefore avoid it in food and supplement forms. Blood sugar problems like hypoglycemia are also linked to BPD, as are lithium and B vitamin deficiency.

Because there are so many potential factors and causes of mental illness, no one treatment can be ruled out until tried for a significant period of time. Some things take up to a month to build up in your system, while others work immediately. Nutritional approaches cannot be overlooked, as depression, anxiety, and many other disorders can be caused or exacerbated by even mild deficiencies of any one of the 40+ nutrients needed daily by the body. Each deficiency has its own list of symptoms, too. Other things to consider are your physical environment and stressors (abusive spouse, loneliness, money troubles, and other ongoing stressors), unresolved emotional issues, and family history of mental illness. If, for example, you are dealing with the ongoing stress of caring for an ill relative--a situation that cannot be improved and that you can't really get out of--it might be best to keep taking the antidepressants until the situation resolves. Basically, if you're living with ANY environmental stressor that would be too much to bear without taking psychiatric meds, or if you suffer from a severe, persisting mental illness such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, or OCD, a "heavy" approach including drugs and psychotherapy might be the best treatment for you. I believe those situations are the ones for which these drugs were intended, but they're given out to those of us with milder problems too often. I guess it all just depends on your reasons for taking the antidepressants in the first place. If you have any questions, please ask...I've dealt with this problem for years and have tried/researched many different potential treatments!