[phyrrus9]

However, there are other (ADHD, Pain, diet) medications that treat depression very well with very few side effects (aside from addiction). Your regular doctor will know about these and be able to prescribe them if necessary. Don't ever ask for a medication, let the doctor doctor.

How do they affect OCD? SSRIs for example, are also used to treat OCD, aside from depression and anxiety.

But the most important thing to do when you're depressed is to stay active. Find a task to do, the more tedious the better.

I've never seen a true case of OCD, so I can't answer that question for you. I'm sure pubmed has some good research on it though

Physically or mentally?

Both. If you subscribe to the "taking your mind off of it" theory, then it's obvious. I personally subscribe to the "doing things makes other things happen in the brain" theory. For example, if you're addicted to SSRIs and you're in withdrawls, sex and running both release the same chemicals in your brain and therefore will prevent the symptoms from being present.