> It is actually well known in psychiatric circles that AD's, SSRIs in particular are not that effective.

then why does the APA make the reccomendation that it does regarding people staying on them?

> It is drug companies that try to make SSRIs seem so effective. I would like to add that even though SSRIs over all are not so hot, they help alot of people. I have seen lives changed by these meds.

yes. but i guess the issue is whether the SSRI caused the change or whether the active ingredient simply coincided with whatever else was responsible for the causal change (e.g., life circumstances altered, the doctor believed the med would help, the patient believed the med would help, the brain 'righted itself' etc).

then weigh in the harmful side effects of medictions...

help more than harm? hard to say...

i think it is appalling that GIVEN THAT it is common knowledge that SSRI's aren't all that effective the APA makes the reccomendation that it does.

PS... i was actually rather surprised to hear you conceed that it is commonly acknowledged that they aren't all that effective. i have found some stuff but i really am having trouble finding reputable studies / sources / critiques of studies to that effect. if you have any references or acknowledgent of that then i'd really be very grateful.