For myself Dawn, intially I used a course of antidepressants and cognitive/stress management therapy to pull me out of the suicidal pit I was in that lasted a year.
Things were if not great, manageable for a long while.
During this last couple years I stumbled across the work of Dr. Daniel Amen. I read his books "This Is Your Brain on Love" and "This Is Your Brain on Joy." and after reading them decided on my own to use the recommended supplementation regimen for my particular challenge. IMO, it has helped me along with the personal development work I'm doing.
I don't hit the pit of despair often or for too long where it's affecting my day to day motivation.
You can find short descriptors of what's going on at Becky's Joy Bistro ( a blog) look down the right side for articles of a particular nature or you'll get bogged down in recipes.
What has also helped is taking up meditation. Your milage may vary.
I hope my experience can help you in some way.
BITS Me-51, WAS-52 Kids 2 M-26yrs, H.left 2009, 2 more Bomb drops, Reconnection spring 2013 Change is inevitable, personal growth is a choice. Love is a action and choice you make, every day.