If anti depressant make you happier, why doesn't everyone take them? wouldn't it be of benefit to anyone?

.: Anti depressant does not make people happy. People with depression have a chemical imbalance in their brain, the medication sets it right. They are not "happy pills". Taking these medication without physician advise may be harmful.

Side effects: All medications have side effects, tolerances can build up, and less than expected results can occur, to name a few reasons. Also, roughly only 25% of people get clinically depressed, and then hopefully only for a short time.

They can be harmful: Great question. Antidepressants alter the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain and other parts of the body as well. They can destabilize the mood or cause side effects like weight gain, diarrhea, nausea, heart arrhythmias, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbance or even more serious side effects.