Nautigal, do you have a professional counselor/psychiatrist on your team? I'd get one ASAP.
Our DS8 has taken antidepressants (the SSRI kind) to help with anxiety. The difference in his life was really dramatic and quite wonderful. It eased his suffering.
We have never used herbal supplements-- they are not regulated by the FDA, which means there's no guarantee as to what's in them or the strength. Some people swear by them, but I have never been comfortable trying them out.
I don't know much about depression in children, though, and I'd have him evaluated by a thoughtful practitioner before making any moves with meds.
DeeDee
