caroline,

i'm a firm believer that no one knows you better than you. alot of times, a dr can put someone on an AD and just keep them there as long as they're "reasonably ok". what about in the few cases where depression can run its course (situational depression)? that was the case with me.

i was coming out of it on my own and the meds were affecting more than they ever had because my body was wanting to feel better. i complained to the dr about this and he said, "you just need more." this went on for about another 8-12 mos. one day, i just stopped. the third day i noticed the grass greener (literally) and heard the birds singing. it had been years. the AD's were keeping me from "waking up" from the depression that had passed. i was too medicated to know. i look back and the only sign of that is that i all of the sudden felt too medicated.

do i recommend you doing what i did? certainly not! you need to talk with your dr about this! i could've ended up in the hospital with convulsions the dr said. i went off of five meds at one time. also, it depends on the type of depression you have. mine was situational.

AD's can be life saving drugs for sure. i also believe that, just as they dull the depression, they dull the good as well. however, it gets to a point with some (as it did with me at the time) that there is no good to dull.

i want to say again...this should not be done on own! i was stupid. i want to say again...what happened with me is not the case for alot of ppl who need and take AD's, therefore this post doesn't apply. however, i have talked with others like me and sometimes share this story. i AM saying that i believe in listening to our bodies, especially when our minds and bodies are being medicated.

be safe and let us know.

kd