I agree - the long-term maintenance thing hardly makes a difference, as the docs do what they want. Case in point - Zyprexa, which was approved for bipolar, short term, mania. How many people do we know that were on it short term, as opposed to when they finally got diabetes, or died.?

Right on the button as always ..

Of course it is in the pharmaceuticals interest to keep people on SSRI meds for a long time. Paxil is also notorious for withdrawal symptoms, dependence and addiction. Any psychiatrist or GP who prescribes these meds for more than 2 years should not be practicing medicine. And any doctor or clinician who prescribes these drugs short or long term without closely monitoring patients for signs of adverse reactions should not be practiciing medicine either..

SSRI's are chemical band aids..

Gaining long-term approval is just another stone in the walkway to the new DSM that is broadening the dx of Depression. The entire society is depressed according to this new regime, and Pharma is keeping it that way. Same as the doctors who remain blissfully ignorant.[or happily paid] The PCP's are the worst offenders rx'ing antidepressants, have been and always will, because antidepressants are rx'ed out as casual cure-alls for the public that complains of sadness, life situations, etc to their doctors. The doctors job is based on writing prescriptions. I was given Prozac, Trazodone, xanax, and Zyprexa all by a PCP for "anxiety". If there were more holistic centers out there, most of us would be sent to yoga classes or therapy groups, given vitamins and a nutrition screening long before drugs were given.

Not in this society. Especially now that anti psychotics are being used for depression, and the expansion of DSM defintitions, has opened pandora's box from hell.

I find it unbelievable that natural alternatives are the ones more scruntinized, than chemicals that permanently alter the brain chemistry, even damage it beyond repair. I find it offensive that mainstream psychiatrists scoff at the word withdrawal, and refuse to admit brain damage and addiction can happen as a result of the medication they prescribe.

The last time I heard of a patient dying from fish oil or vitamin damage to the brain, well, was never.

The fact is doctors, psychiatrists, pharma reps and execs want to silence all of us "anti psychiatry types" is because they would be out of business if the general public really understood that placebos often work more than the antidepressant in their trials.

[that being said by some one who does take psych meds, and understands I am part of an industry that is after my money and they get my soul too.]