Antidepressants not as effective as they are reported to be...

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/healthday/080116/antidepressant-effect...


I have seen people slightly depressed who went on Effexor, for instance, and who became VERY depressed, anxious, and irritable when trying to get off of it. Antidepressants are not addictive like narcotics are, but if one needs to remain on an antidepressant not because the drug is helping Depression symptoms but because the drug causes withdrawal symptoms when decreased or eliminated, the net effect is the same (and ensures a continued $$$ for the drug-maker).

The terrible part of this equation is that people confuse withdrawal symptoms with actual depression, and then attribute the drug, which is ineffective, with relieving their depression. I had a friend recently tell me that she "tried stopping [her] Effexor," but her Depression was so terrible that she went back on it. I don't think it was her Depression -- I think it was Effexor detox.