I have 4 medications. 2 for depression and 2 for anxiety. The depression meds don't necessarily keep me from being sad or depressed but they do keep me from slipping into a deep depression. I haven't had any side effects as of yet from my depression meds.
My anxiety meds I only take when my anxiety starts up. The side effects of them are they both make me sleepy. I cannot take them if I am about to have to drive anywhere because I feel like they also slow down my reaction time.