Most people I know who suffer from depression wait too long to get help. (Yes, there are the people who aren't all that depressed who are willing to take anything and ALSO don't really wait to give the antidepressant time to work - those people bug me the worst).



But, once they work (if you really need them), they really can be a lifesaver. And myself, I really have a strong, strong ability to endure a lot of emotional pain before I seek help. It's usually way deep into the depression before I reach out.



Everyone has their own experience. But I do know people who need them and they are on them for years and years - and don't have to quit and they don't lose their effectiveness, as Bluetea said happens. Sure that happens but I also wonder how many people, like myself, hate the idea of being on them and claim that it's losing its effectiveness after they got out of their temporary depression.



I am not trying to turn this into a debate. I just think that people

have alot of misconceptions about them being a happy pill or panacea. That's not how it has ever worked for me. It's just been about getting through some horrific times in my life and I'm not weak for doing it - it's called survival. Especially when I've done everything else. I'm a meditator, eat well, exercise (this is a huge thing to do), etc. etc.