It seems to me that you're the only one trying to host a pissing contest.

We can neither define depression nor honestly state what ADs do .... thus, none of us have ANY idea what happens after the medication is withdrawn.

There has been buzz lately that ADs 'heal' the brain by encouraging neurogenesis and thus implies that longer treatment duration leads to more favorable sustained remission rates (less rebound depression.) I believe a lot of this buzz has to do with doctors wanting that to be true -- it's obviously an extremely attractive idea (Even I want it to be true! How nice to take a pill that says that!). Obviously, people who have been on AD's for years can confirm to you that they have not been 'healed' even if they are treated, so the 'neurogenesis' theory doesn't seem to cover all its bases yet.

I believe it is possible to be 'healed' after a course of ADs by the changes in your life the medication allowed you to accomplish -- ie, healthier mindset, relationships, habits, etc.

But otherwise, some people fair well and others don't after weening off an AD.