A person can not become addicted even though he takes these medications for months or years. A person who does not have depression would feel no effect if he took an antidepressant. They work on the brain chemistry that gets out of balance and results in depression. The chief side effects are dry mouth, constipation and drowsiness. Dry mouth can be effectively overcome by drinking water or sucking non caloric mints.
Constipation is corrected by adding bulk to one's diet.
The sleepy effects are taken care by taking the medicine before bedtime. The body usually adjusts to all these side effects. Some newer antidepressants do not have side effects. Pep pills give anybody a sudden boost of energy whether they have depression or not. Pep pills are all dangerous, and not used for depression.