Anti-depression meds...how long?

My wife has taken Celexa, then Lexapro off and on (6 months at a time) for the last 2 or 3 years.
There's no doubt we have a better relationship when she is taking ad's but my question is, will this be (should this be) a lifelong therapy?
We do not get along as well when she is off them..that's for sure.
What is the normal time span for taking ad's?
Is it a lifelong committment?

i think that its very individual...for me.meds are a lifetime commitment........i've been on prozac for over 10 years and don't see my getting off of it.......

Agreed very individual - for me I see my meds as long term...not sure if for the rest of my life...certainly not stopping any time soon.

I agree it is on an individual basis but it can be a life time commitment. There are a lot of variables that come into play.

A lot of information available suggests therapy as well as meds. Depending on cause, depth, duration, reaction to meds, reaction to therapy, etc. no one can really give you a complete answer.

She may or may not have to use meds all the time. Be aware also that dosages and even the drugs themselves my also change.

Her medical team will make the determination. Your wife and possibly you too (if she allows) should be an acctive part of the process.

I wish you both the best.

Good question, Gtr...
I've been taking one form or another of antidepressants now for 14 years. Just this week I have tried breaking the 40 mg. tabs in half, reducing the dosage myself. My doctor has already agreed that this med will probably be a lifelong committment, but, not feeling depressed in the least, I thought I would try to wean myself off them! Today, I had a major anxiety attack at school....Not good. Also, I noticed that I'm starting to feel resentments toward people at work! Something I never do!
I hate to be forever a slave to this medication, but I don't want to be a basket case either!
Patty

I take stimulant meds for add and find I can "learn" adequate responses from being on them for a period of time, say two weeks, then I can go off them and recall the learned responses and get through a few weeks without them, then go back on again, etc.
I guess my question was based on.... can ad's be utilized the same way....on an as needed basis?

I don't believe they can work that way.
Any of the dp meds I've taken and that's quite a few. Usually they have to be taken for a few weeks and gradually build up to a therapeutic dose.