[doggiedo]

Has anyone ever read the new book, Coming of Age on Prozac? I am reading it because a) I've been on antidepressants for several years now, and b) I work with college age students and many of them are on antidepressants.

The book surrounds the idea that doctors put teens and young adults on medication rather than teaching them the tools to deal with and come out of depression. The author thinks that this is important because this is normally when the emotional development when young adults figure out who they are and how they fit into the world. She states that being on the antidepressants delays that development.

Any thoughts?

[Rohag]

I have not read the book, but Jerome Siegel's review is here on PsychCentral. It's worthy of serious discussion.

[Hanging-on28]

I think the author is right on if he suggests therapy first. However in cases like mine, after 2-3 years with little progress or if there are physiological symptoms or psychological challenges a person can't control even with practice, medication becomes a very real "last resort". I think there should be a requirement of significant therapy before meds are ever introduced because once you start pharms., its very very hard to get off them. Since you are reading, I would suggest reading a book that explains the drugs in order to get both sides of the issue. "Feeling Good" by David Burns MD is one of the first I read and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to educate themselves about options. Enjoy, take care