Dave

“Meta-analyses of antidepressant medications have reported only modest benefits over placebo treatment, and when unpublished trial data are included, the benefit falls below accepted criteria for clinical significance.”

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050045

Over the past year or two I’ve had some very close friends confide in me, letting me know that they were struggling with Depression (capital “D”). Two of them told me all about the cycles that they go through because they feel like they shouldn’t need medication. They go off of it for a while and feel fine. But eventually they begin descending. Down they go until they hit rock bottom and get back on the medications. They feel horrible for taking the medication. They beat themselves up about it. But it helps them manage their situation; it makes their plight bearable.

It was hard listening to them describe this. It was the first time that I’d ever heard someone struggling with Depression speak so candidly about it. I admit that those conversations totally changed my mind about the seriousness of Depression.

Thanks for your thoughtful post.

“I’ve heard some people say to others who are deep in depression that they just need to read their Bibles more, or pray harder, or have better quiet times, or stop sinning. THAT HAS GOT TO STOP!”
That is the best quote. While I believe in prayer and seeking the Lord, if someone is truly depressed, then they need to see someone for counseling and/or psychiatric help. Anti-depressents can simply neutralize the chemicals in someones brain while they receive help on dealing with certain issues.

Anyway, good stuff, glad you are writing about it.