Emotional Release

I don't think you should take your friend's medication. First of all, they all have side effects. Constipation, dry mouth, insomnia, take it from there. There are a lot of natural methods that you can try to help alleviate depression.

Emotional release, body talk, open mouth connected breathing, The Forum for teenagers, EFT.... these are all things that you can research online and look into to help to alleviate your depression.
Do not by any means think that medication is the best or only way to deal. Pay attention to your self-talk. What are you saying to yourself about yourself in your mind? Try programming your subconscious mind with some positive ideas about yourself.

If you could possibly meditate, this is very helpful. You don't need to learn how. It's like learning to fall asleep, but remaining conscious. It only involves sitting quietly and not getting carried away by your thoughts, but just silently watch them until they slow down and get still. Many people use the river metaphor to help with this. They imagine themselves sitting alongside a river or stream, watching their thoughts without judgement until they eventually quiet down. Even five minutes of this can by helpful. I'm meditating right now, as I write this. I have myeeyes closed, and my mind is totally open. It's even ok to smile.

There's an exercise I learned from my teacher, James Hyman. Close your eyes, and visualize your heart, now, ever so slightly, without moving your face musculature, smile inwardly, every so subtly into your heart. You can see how as soon as you do it, you can feel your heart energy grow.

So, your thoughts- positive affirmations, instead of negative ones, personal growth through weekend workshops, or the new age section at your local bookstore. Meditation, don't worry about what type, just sit and see if you can quiet your mind. These are all some good alternatives to medication.

We have found that a good deal of depression is blocked energy. When you release the blocked energy, depression lightens. Think of things that you can do to unblock it. They all work, such as exercise, yoga, running, laughing, (self-induced laughter is a powerful technique, kind of fake it til you make it philosophy). Check out Laughter Yoga.

Hope this helps.

Barbara