> antidepressants that DO have very big and worrying side effects.

I've read: sexual dysfunction, food cravings, changes to insulin response contributing to hard to lose and large weight gain (increasing diabetes risk), general tiredness making exercise difficult, loss of enjoyment

I've known quite a few many people go from slim to balloon in months and then unable to shift the weight years later. The doctors parrot the line that low mood was just suppressing appetite...