Firstly I would like to offer my sympathy to those who have suffered from incorrect prescribing of SSRIs. It seems to be a major problem.

However, I need to stress that some people do need chemical help for imbalances in brain chemistry.

Years ago, when I was in my early 40s, I went to a GP describing my symptoms. I felt so dreadful, that I had started to drink alcohol as soon as I got up, to try to suppress some of this terrible feeling and get me through the day. I also have a family history of depression and suicide on my father's side of the family.

He handed me a book whose title I have forgotten, with many similar stories to what I have read here. I read the book and agreed with it, and tried to pull myself together. Things just got much worse and I ended up staying in bed, or drinking to dull the pain. Life seemed to be pointless, and I lost all joy in my garden, reading etc all the things I had loved. I nearly lost my job as I had so much time off work. Eventually, my husband demanded I go to a doctor, as I wasn't behaving normally and thankfully this time I was prescribed SSRIs and recovered completely. I am just so thankful that I live when help is available, and not when earlier generations of my family undoubtedly needed such help, did.

Rebekah is sharing her experience for you. Brave indeed.

Scientific trials show that only about 33% of depressions MAY be genetic. This comes from studies of twins. It is also just a scientific guess really. Science knows little about depression and the many other mental illnesses. Most depressions are environmental. Note that statement. Look at your life and decide. When were you first affected, how, and why. If you solve those puzzles the rest will fall into place.

Those that do suffer genetic depression etc can't solve those puzzles as it started at birth, triggered by some event)s) during life. Treatment helps but does not cure, as yet. If you find something that helps, do it. To me diversion is by far the best remedy. That is focusing your mind and energy on other than thinking and living depression. Easier said than done but that's the key. NOT thinking about D 24/7 as IT wants us to.

Whatever is mooted as treatment may be relevant or not to your situation. Either way though it is worth thought as you don't know what is wrong and how to fix it either.

In my case I have finally re emerged after a lifetime in the D zome. By chance really. Persistence, yes, much pain and suffering, yes. Hope, always. Reality, never thought it would happen and who knows, it may be short term. I don't care, I'll just enjoy the current energy, motivation and access to my abilities while I can.

One thing I have come to realise is that firstly it is only fellow D sufferers that can help each other, Docs can of course but they don't know what you feel, and think. Many of us are less than honest with docs as we don't trust them, often validly. Big minus there of course so try and be open, you've nothing to lose really have you?

Forgive me for posting twice, had to finish what I started writing.

What stands out most to me is we don't take advice, from anyone, regardless. We plead for sympathy, understanding, support, help and so on but even when all that is there no guarantee of recovery can be assured. What we do need, INHO, is reality checks. Not the continual "hugs" and "luv" that floats around as, to me, all that achieves is a warm, fuzzy nothingness. We need to face simple facts.

It is only us that can change how we react to the world and all those triggers we hate so much. It is only us that can decide what helps and what doesn't.

Telling our stories is critical and Rebekah has done that, for you and us. To provide more insight into our world.

Bottom line is that whatever you feel today is temporary. Tomorrow will and can be different if you are willing to keep trying and take advantage of changes that come your way. Mostly meds and other treatments are little more than a diversion, a watershed which allows you room and time to think about your life and what parts of that are affecting you badly. Remove those parts and use the good bits.

An example. Post Partum Depression. Not readily treated as the causes are really unknown. The trigger appears to be having a child but having that child brings about what I regard as the real meaning of our lives. Being simply to create further life and ensure that those lives are independent, strong and caring.

Thanks for writing Rebekah. Your actions in ceasing medication were courageous. I'm glad you are tring to raise awareness in this area where it is clear the medical community has a lot less reason for the confidence that they show in their prognosis.

Keep up the great work.

Dear Grey,

There is nothing to be applauded about stopping one's medication. The only thing that can be applauded is the persistence of one to continue seeking a succesful recovery from a journey littered with obstacles. Be it stigma, ignorance, rejection, isolation or the rest, it doesn't matter. Just keep going as there is always hope. Feelings and thoughts are just there for a short time. It's up to us whether those thoughts and feelings continue and dominate or not.

Regardles of any "medical" of layperson advice.

Stopping medication can be either good or bad but either way it must be done under medical supervision. Even if theose experts don't know what to do they can monitor your condition and record for others what has taken place. Guninea pigs, yes, but what's the alternative? I'd rather my experiences were used to shorten the trip for others, if they care to listen and look for their own errors, so to speak.

I am sitting outside reading the paper when I come across this review in the paper about this book. It felt like deja vu. Only a week ago I was sitting in a counsellors office, describing my situation and what brought me there. I was told to come back for another session, but also to go to my GP see if i was suitable for medication. A few days later I went through a similar outpouring with the GP, who said that she'll see if she had any samples of some anti-depressants for me to try out. I was given a trial pack of Zoloft. I don't appear to be having and ill effects from it yet, but after reading review on this book, i went to 3 bookstores on a sunday (in perth)trying to track it down. I have to admit that I hadn't for one second doubted this course of action, after all, this is what we are told to do now. If you think you are suffering from depression, to go seek medical advice, its the "done" thing now. So now I find myself not being able to put this book down. I'm a bit nervous to find out what happened to Rebekah, what if something happens to me too? ...