I was on Paxil for about two years (5-7 years ago). I did gain some wait, and had very little sex drive, but it really helped me. Getting up in the morning was no longer a chore.
Don't forget, you don't have to take any medications forever. You can try different ones, to see what works. The best part for me was that one day, after about two years, I was walking my dog and just started singing. I knew it was time to come off them. Whether it changed my brain chemistry, or I learned different behavior techniques, it didn't matter. I was better. I still get the blues now and then, but I take about 900 mg of St. John's Wort per day and that seems to keep it pretty much under control.