Some antidepressants work for some people some of the time. The figure is very low. For most people there are good reasons not to take them, not only that study after study shows they are ineffective but also that for some people they can have very unpleasant side effects and cause problems when you stop taking them. Also, the whole willingness to expand the parameters of what counts as depression needs close examination. It is dreadful and life threatening at its worst and needs all the medical and other support you get. It seems to me that unhappiness caused by life circumstances, socioeconomic stress etc., and the common 'blues' need looking at from a nonmedical perspective. Also, even wi...

Some antidepressants work for some people some of the time. The figure is very low. For most people there are good reasons not to take them, not only that study after study shows they are ineffective but also that for some people they can have very unpleasant side effects and cause problems when you stop taking them. Also, the whole willingness to expand the parameters of what counts as depression needs close examination. It is dreadful and life threatening at its worst and needs all the medical and other support you get. It seems to me that unhappiness caused by life circumstances, socioeconomic stress etc., and the common 'blues' need looking at from a nonmedical perspective. Also, even with successful medication, many other things can help in recovery. Sorry this is compressed but it is a big issue and quite complex.

You are right. There is much undeserved pain in the world, and that is a part of reality. I just want to remind you that there are many parallel conversations that go on in talk of 'depression'. Each case is unique. Some, I believe, ultimately find that going deeper into it and not trying to take away the pain reveals a basic existential depression which is a starting place for spiritual renewal. But in some cases, even if it is hit and miss -as so many things in life are - medications save people from despair. There are clippers apart from myself who will confirm that. But let us not polarise the issue, and let us respect the unique experience of every human being. I so much want to confirm...

You are right. There is much undeserved pain in the world, and that is a part of reality. I just want to remind you that there are many parallel conversations that go on in talk of 'depression'. Each case is unique. Some, I believe, ultimately find that going deeper into it and not trying to take away the pain reveals a basic existential depression which is a starting place for spiritual renewal. But in some cases, even if it is hit and miss -as so many things in life are - medications save people from despair. There are clippers apart from myself who will confirm that. But let us not polarise the issue, and let us respect the unique experience of every human being. I so much want to confirm what you are saying, but from experience I have to say "Yes, yes! But...."