I've been on anti-depressants for quite some time (pregnancies and births seem to throw my body AND emotions out of whack). I'm reading how these are classic stallers but I'm confused as to what effective alternatives are available that won't have the same side effects.

Any thoughts?

5-hydroxy-tryptophan or 5HTP is required for the brain to produce serotonin. 5HTP deficiencies can result in low serotonin levels that result in a variety of symptoms including depression, anxiety, weight gain, and sleeplessness. 5HTP has been researched for more than 25 years, and is considered a much safer alternative for treating serotonin deficiencies than commonly prescribed drugs such as Prozac. 5HTP is a natural supplement extracted from the seed of the Griffonia plant. Check out these websites:
http://www.offshorepharmacy.net/ias-5htp.htm
http://www.smart-publications.com/books/5htp/toc.html

and this is a great website about St. John's Wort
http://www.sjwinfo.org/

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I think DuPont has a good point -- I was on St. John's Wort before I saw a doctor and went on prescription SSRI-type anti-depressants. But I would caution that there are a number of other issues to consider, not the least of which concerns the interactions between SJW and any other medications you might be taking. Although I hate to be self-referential (doing so gets professional academics in trouble all the time!) here in an excerpt from something I just wrote:

"One thing though, none of us here are capable of diagnosing your problem and recommending treatment. If you are not already seeing a physician and/or psychiarist for these issues you might want to think about it. S/he can counsel you on both the weight and the depression issues."

I myself need to go back to seeing a physician, so maybe I should stop posting messages to this forum and make an appointment!

Be well -- RA Harris