Stay away from the pills. My grandmother was in a depression for years and her doctor had her on so many different pills that she just slid deeper and deeper down...
We went to a new doctor who weaned her off the pills and encouraged her instead to get out of the house and get some sunshine. It's tough - especially where you are this time of year in all this weather - but the sunshine does help. There are also supposed to be some good light therapy (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_therapy) options out there. Philips makes a BLU light therapy unit that has really been getting great reviews (
http://www.consumer.philips.com/c/li.../11625/cat/us/) that might help if you can't get outdoors.
A mutual friend of ours (Bestat) told me that the best medicine for depression and stress was to get a cat. I listened (because we both know how wise she is) and then I also got one for my grandmother. If it weren't for my cat (and the dogs we've also added over the years) I would just sit at the computer and work, work, work. They seem to know when you are stressed and need to take a break and they just come up, cuddle with you and brighten a day that could have otherwise gone into a funk. The only time my grandmother brightens when we talk on the phone is to tell me of the silly things her cat does - they really are wonderful companions.
Hope this helps...