Medication: your experience

Hi lovely people of 7cups,

I've been wondering if some of you have had any experience with taking medication in mental health issues (servere depression of many years in particular).

*I'm also curious about vitamin B3 (niacin) and D supplementation and unconventional medicine practice.

I'm aware that meds have some side effects and they don't start working overnight, but I'm actually considering taking them (although I treat them as my last resort). So I'd like to know if my fears are rational. (You know, in many countries psychiatrists are demonised and so are pills/tranquilizers/etc.)

I also know medications differ between countries, but perhaps someone would like to share their experiences.

You could think of: 1) the type of your medication (what issue it is aimed at)

2) dose&how often you take it

3) how long you have to take it to feel the difference

4) side effects (short-term and long-term)

5) expected treatment time

6) how (dis)satisfied you are with the treatment

7) if depression/your issue fades entirely when/after you take the pill/finish the treatment

8) anything more that comes to mind (suggestions, regrets, happy stories, etc.)

Thank you!