> My dad was diagnosed with clinical depression a
>few years ago and the doctors prescribed Zoloft
>for him. Well, that got him all doped up and he
>just wasn't himself anymore. He was walking
>around in a cloud all weird-like. Not to
>mention, there were a few yucky side effects (as
>printed on the warning label). So he decided to
>come off the meds and experienced some massive
>withdrawl symptoms... basically, he was addicted
>to and dependent on this drug. That's not where
>I want to be.

Clearly your dad had an adverse reaction to the drug. It happens. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. What is supposed to happen is that the drug merely corrects an imbalance that allows you to not be freaking depressed all the time and allows you to be yourself.

Using this argument is a bit like saying that since you had an allergic reaction to penicillin the last time you took it you don't want to take anything for your infection now because you might react that way again. There are other drugs that will treat the condition. If one doesn't work or has extreme adverse affects, you can try another one.

> Plus, if my depression (if that's really what
>I've got) is incurable, I'll be stuck buying
>mind-altering drugs for the rest of my life.

I totally don't buy this argument either. If you're truly depressed, the day you realize the medication is working is the day you realize that the "mind altering" state you were in was THE DEPRESSION, not how you're feeling now. Feeling NORMAL for the first time is the most amazing thing ever. Yeah, it can almost make you giddy--I know it did me for a bit. But after that, you realize it's just how you're *supposed* to feel. The crushing weight of the dark cloud is gone, and you can just be yourself. You still have ups and downs. You still feel happy and sad. But that constant crushing depression is gone.

And if you're saying to yourself "I don't feel that constant dark cloud, so I must not be depressed" let me say that I didn't really notice either until it was gone. Knowing the difference is the entire key. If all you've ever known is the darkness, then seeing the light for the first time is a revelation. After that, you learn the differences. Still, people are not really their own best judge of their mental state a lot of the time. If you plan on just being a hermit, then not taking medication or seeking some other help for clinical depression won't be much of a problem. But if you plan on being around others, they'll notice sooner than you will when you're having problems.

>I think "chemical imbalances" are just a bunch
>of malarky.

So you're saying your brain doesn't have an effect on your emtions at all? All those years of research are just a bunch of bull?

-- Dave