I voted yes I would take an AD. However I think it is important to add that I don't take an AD for depression. I suffer with Bipolar disorder but I take an AD for anxiety. It works very well for me. So despite the recent studies regarding how it works for depression. It works extremely well for my anxiety.

I voted um, maybe because of the glowly effect paxil gave me which may have been partly placebo. At the time I told my friends "hey this stuff gives me a constant mild buzz." But then I look back at the choices I made while high on it, life changing choices, breaking up with a boyfriend, accepting a job in another city, and I wonder if I would have done those things if I wasn't high on paxil. I liked the city I moved to and while I hated the job it lead to some good things but now I live half a mile from where I did 12 years ago when I took paxil and that old boyfriend is a friend.

With the potential side effects and withdrawal symptoms, subtle, lingering, dangerous, often deadly, I think it's highly unlikely I'd try it again. Effexor, never in a million years, as that was truly a bad trip, and zoloft never again as zoloft made me feel consistently icky and bloated.

I voted NO WAY, based on the severe side effects of suidical ideation while being rx'ed Prozac for ANXIETY by a PCP in 2003, who told me all of my "worries will just roll off of your back" on Prozac. It was a 6 month hell of withdrawal symptoms [stomach pain, sweating, shakes, etc]that was beyond acceptable, and the pill did nothing for my health, except make it worse.

I voted "yes" based on my own experience but I know my daughter would have chosen "only with a gun pointed at my head." (An SSRI pushed her into mania and she was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which we now know is genetic on both sides of her family tree).

Going back to my twenties, I struggled with anxiety, a terrible lack of self-worth and felt "blue" constantly. I assumed that was my basic personality and lived with it. My late husband was alternately sad and mad that I couldn't see myself in any sort of positive light.

After the birth of our daughter, my moodiness/PMS got progressively worse and still, I thought it was "normal." Then, suddenly and totally unexpectedly, he died and I was left with a fragile 14 yr old daughter, who, little did I know, would self-destruct and end up in the hospital 6 months later. Something instinctive in me knew that I couldn't continue "as is" and take care of myself and my dd. I saw my trusted nurse practitioner immediately and she referred me to an absolutely wonderful woman psychologist/PhD/nurse pracitioner.

I was 46 and she suggested Zoloft for PMS and dysthymia. She also happened to be a grief counselor and I'm not sure where I'd be today without her. The Zoloft made PMS bearable and with her compassionate listening and talk therapy, I could cope with all the fear, anxiety and pain of sudden death, much less what was unfolding with my daughter. The Zoloft never blunted any of my excruciating sorrow and I felt the full range of emotions. I saw her regularly for almost 5 years. Joyce retired 2 years ago and sadly, died of cancer before the holidays. She was an outstanding mental health professional and I will forever be grateful for her help. Today, I am still taking Zoloft, I have not encountered "poop out" and besides my own strength and tenancity, I believe that Zoloft is still helping me with low grade depression. I only wish that my late husband could be here today to see that I finally believe in my worth and talents. He would be proud of me and his beloved daughter for all we've survived.

I would for sure take an anti-depressant. Lexapro has done wonders for my PTSD. I used to have nightmares all the time, and would just start crying out of the blue whenever the slightest thing would remind me of something -- but now I am practically symptom free. Anti-depressants are awesome!

Philip! - check out this link.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-02/iu-mmi022108.php

I guess there is now a blood test for Bipolar Disorder - Wondering if you could use your investigative skills to find a copy of the actual scientific article that was just published and give us a link to that. I would really be interested in reading in depth about HOW this blood test works, and I already know no news article from the mainstreem is really going to get into the science or represent it correctly... maybe you know of a doctor blog where they do a good job of explaining. Let us know what you find. I think this is a very important announcement. I hope you'll cover it soon.

I have to say, whether it is placebo effect or not I have seen SSRI's work very well for patients. Yeah, very rarely does not get rid of depression entirely but I have seen it make significant differences in both children and adults. This is based on clinical experience. And if it is "just" placebo effect well, sometimes if that is enough to relieve the intense internal suffering of those with depression I guess that's okay too.
Also, my cat takes Prozac and I don't think she knows anything about pills or placebo effect, and there is definitely a difference in her mood on and off the medication.. ie my partner notices when I forget to give it to her for awhile.

"Also, my cat takes Prozac and I don't think she knows anything about pills or placebo effect, and there is definitely a difference in her mood on and off the medication.. ie my partner notices when I forget to give it to her for awhile."

Cats may not know about placebo effects but I'm sure they can have withdrawal too. I think that's really sad to give a cat Prozac -- sorry to say.

As far as pets on Prozac, here's Reconcile, brought to pet owners by Eli Lilly, you know, the makers of Zyprexa. With pets in mind also, do a google search for "Cerenia" and you might just find me there.

I'm still waiting to see exactly what behavior changes prozac causes in the poor cat and I'd like to know the cat's diagnosis. Also, information on where I can purchase my own little kitty DSM would be appreciated.

LINK