I went to a website to find the side effects of Lexapr0--this is the antidepressant drug that I use to take.

Constipation; decreased sexual desire or ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; light-headedness when you stand or sit up; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset; tiredness; trouble sleeping.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Lexapro:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bizarre behavior; black or bloody stools; chest pain; confusion; decreased concentration; decreased coordination; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; memory loss; menstrual period changes; new or worsening agitation, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, or inability to sit still; persistent or severe ringing in the ears;persistent, painful erection; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe dizziness; severe or persistent anxiety or trouble sleeping; severe or persistent headache; shortness of breath; stomach pain; suicidal thoughts or attempts; tremor; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or severe mental or mood changes; unusual weakness; vision changes; worsening of depression. (Drugs.com, accessed 13 February 2012)

Amazing, all of these side effects for a drug that works no better than a placebo!

I recently read The Emperor's New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth. What the author, and his co-researchers, did is a meta-analysis of all (or all that they could get reliable information) of the research that had been done on the effectiveness of antidepressants.  A meta-analysis is basically a review of previous studies that uses statistical analysis.  In other words, it is not a review in a the sense that a the authors simply provides an overview of the studies that have been done.  it is a critical look at previous research.

What the author, Irving Kirsch, found was that antidepressant drugs are no better than placebos. This was not true for just a few drugs, but all of them.  It is important to note that Kirsch is not saying that antidepressants do nothing.  What he found was that almost all of the effects that are gained from antidepressants drugs can be attributed to the placebo effect.

So, why do we take antidepressants.  They have a bunch of side effects, that are not found with other treatments such as seeing a therapist and exercise.

If you haven't yet, I strongly suggest you start investigating the antidepressants that you are taking.  Are they really doing you any good?  I always thought that my doctor was doing what was best for me.  I realize now that there was a very good chance that I could have gotten better faster, and that my five years of misery could have been mitigated, and that my life could have been much different now.

Enjoy life,

Peter