Replies

People, don't think for a second that there is no way an antidepressant could worsen depression. We are playing with unknowns with SSRIs and all other types. Taking them might give the patient false security that he will not succumb to suicidal ideation.

There is no evidence that SSRIs taken long term don't have the body's own serotonin uptake overcompensating for the drug's effects, thereby negating them. There is evidence that serotonin is not alone in mood regulation.

Anecdotally, I have some healthy fear of these drugs: I took Zoloft for four months once, 9 years ago. If I was even an hour late taking my pill, that night I would have TERROR dreams. I haven't had a dream like that since, but back then, if I was late or forgot a pill, the dreams came from my PERSONAL ABSOLUTE HORROR collection in my brain. I am talking watching my child get shot, end of the world type dreams. The kind that wake you up in utter panic. You couldn't pay me to go back on those drugs. And not habit forming, my tushie. As I weaned off of Zoloft, I was too dizzy to walk straight for about two weeks.

I'm with you. The cure is worse than the disease. I took Paxil for several years, and quit twice. It was horrible. The first time, I tapered too quickly and had awful withdrawal. The second time, I took longer to taper, but still had significant side effects. I use a combination of light therapy and exercise to control the depression, and it works well. The best thing I could do is move south. I live in Michigan now, and the climate here kills me (except during the 1 good week of weather we get during the summer). I lived in Texas for 3 years, and felt great the whole time. When I moved back to MI, I didn't know what was wrong. Now I know it's SADs.