Hello: What do you think about taking anti-depressants, mostly zoloft, paxil and wellbutrin ongoing for 10 years total - 1994 - present. I have had major depression since I was 12 (I'm 47) and anxiety since I was 9. I've been on and off on meds since I was 15.. mostly off until 1994. Now, I've been on several different ones continuously. I am currently dissatisfied with my pdoc of 9 years... so am looking for a change. One thing I like about current pdoc is that he never has given me over 2 or 3 meds at a time (this is counting xanax prn). I hate the thought of getting a doctor who wants to load me up on drugs.. which, of course, I won't tolerate.. I'll just move on to someone else. Newest med out is Cymbalta and my current pdoc of 9 years wants me to take it. Zyprexa was the best med I've ever taken as far as taking the edge off my anxiety and depression, but the aspect of diabetes came up, so I dropped it lot a hot potato on March 31, 2004. I haven't been the same since, but I won't start it up again. My pdoc of 9 years wants me stay on some type of antidepressant for life. I read there isn't enough research to determine what happens to a person after many, many years of psychotropic drugs.

So, what is your take on the toxicity of taking meds continuously for 10 years... as opposed to only taking them when needed?