every time I stop taking them I go into a downward spiral

my psychiatrist is well versed in all the aspects of medications for
mental illness and I disagree with Sky's assserstion that anti-depressants only work if the patient believes they will....

can you do it without medication?...........yes...anythings possible

everyones chemical makeup is different......some people need more
some less....some can do it without

Im learning that myt depression can be overcome with therapy, however the medications give me another tool to help cope....