Is anyone trying to 'manage' depression without ADs?

[globex]

I'm just about to wean myself off sertraline, and after about 15 years on and off AD use I'm going to give depression management a proper try. I was wondering if anyone else was doing it and how it was working?

Well globex I was on an old fashioned tryclic (imiprame) after my very first episode of major depression after the untimely death of my dearest friend in 1994. I was in hospital for 3 months and made a complete recovery. I was on the meds for 15 years - I did try to come off them but everytime I had awful withdrawal symptoms (which the GPs were telling me was a return of the depression) - which at the time I believed and went straight back on the dose. In 2009 I decided that with the help of a psychologist who had an expertise in helping people come off meds, that I would try again - I was on 100mg - I reduced 10mg each month and it took 10 months and I was off them. However 4 months later I suffered a 2nd major episode of depression last Easter and was again hospitalised for 3 months, but this time I am still struggling and am mostly well, but suffer really horrible "blips" that come without any trigger and last anything between 2 and 15 days.

SO I will stay on the meds for the rest of my life because I truly believe (as does the conslt psychiatrist and my CPN ) that had I not come off them I would have not suffered a further episode.

However I see on the MH thread that many people do come off them and seem to do ok.

I have always felt that somehow if I am no longer taking ADs that 'makes me normal' then! Great, no meds.
I know myself now, and actually, I know that I will probably be taking ADs for the indefinite future.
I have a wonderful; 20m old son, DH and a job I enjoy. Not sure I would be able to enjoy, see the funny side, and have a wee appropriate rant without the ADs. I have decided that I would rather 'stay on', even if so doing means I 'still have' MH issues.

Wishing you all the best, x.