No. They sometimes have devastationg effects on some people even in small doses. Most of them require a weaning-on period. Sometimes they throw you into a severe agitated state which I can only describe as a preview of hell.
Some depressed people cannot tolerate anti-depressants. Sometimes if you have anxiety or comorbidity, a transquillizer works better. Take care of the anxiety and the depression lifts because you are able to get out and do more things comfortably.
I will never take another drug without doing extensive research on the anxiety/panic/depression newsgroups to see the various reactions people have towards them.
We have a tendency to trust doctors which is fine (to a point) with psyiological drugs but can be deadly when dealing with brain chemistry altering drugs.
People going on anti-depressants should be watched carefully for increased anxiety/agitation/tremors/behavorial changes. If you have a negative reaction, it sometimes takes quite a while to resolve. A lot of people cannot articulate what they are feeling. Outwardly they seem better because they seem to have more energy and "sound" better but inwardly they are in terrible danger.
Some people can almost effortlessly go on to anti-depressants and when get the chemicals built up with positive transformative effects. For others it is a recipe for disaster. I would imagine it is even worse for younger people who are more volatile anyway and don't know what to expect and trust their doctors because things like antibiotics work in such a life-saving manner. It is not the same with psychological meds.
They used to put you in the hospital and monitor your reactions, blood pressure etc. Now they write you a script and send you out the door and tell you to come back in a month or so. In the meantime, anything can happen.
Where did your lack of trust in Doctors first originate to place such trust in the Internet?