Probably one of the best replies here. Anyone, who has never expierenced depression has no idea what it is like. My family also has a huge history of depression, and most of us are on meds. The pills that doctors offer help with chemical imbalances in the brain. Some increase seritonin levels to help you out while others block certain other shit. While not everybody's body is the same, they all don't deal with the chemicals in our body's the same.
You need to go to a good doctor of internal medicine. Don't just go to your family physician, but instead ask him for a referal. You need someone who knows about all of the effects of the drug. I have been on happy pills for about two years, and I have been through a whole bunch of different ones and adjustments. It might take a while to get the right mixture, but in the end it is very beneficial for some people.