I have heard for years that if one totally quits their meds that are working (with doctor monitoring, of course!) and then restarts the meds b/c their symptoms return, that the meds will not work, or not work as well, the second time.

I've googled this question and have found nothing at all about the situation. Anybody got references on this issue?

A relative has major depression, and has taken meds for decades. He decided months ago to get off his meds and go with L.Tryptophan. He has a doctor, and together then monitored him. He did fine for many months, and then (no surprise to me) his depression came back, big time. He's been suffering for months. The doc raised the med he was taking, to double the dose as before. No help. He's tried at least two other meds now, no help. When I told him that is was a (quote from me) well known that the return of symptoms was common and well known, he hopped all over my via email. I told him I would look into it and find out if I was wrong.

But I have heard about this phenomenon for 20 years! I THINK I have heard it from pdocs. What's the scoop? I will also ask my pdoc at my next appt., which is this next Monoday.