we have the same discussion in my therapy group (and used to have it in my self-help group when i was still attending) every couple of months: to take antidepressants or not to take them. there is a lot of negative public opinion connected with antidepressants and some patients don't want to be branded as "loony". also, there seems to be a prevailing sentiment that "you should manage on your own" after taking antidepressants for a while. i don't get it, nobody expects someone with diabetes to manage on their own. somehow mental illness is just a character flaw that you should grow up about and get over it.

i can honestly say antidepressants saved my life last december. there is no telling how anguished and suicidal i would have been without the meds, even though i clearly was undermedicated at the time. the new dosage is doing wonders for my quality of life. for the first time in a decade i don't have to ration my spoons and actually have a social life. so, yeah, i'm with you on your rant ;-)