Doctor wants me to stay on anti depressants for life?

[HowTheFuckDoIDoThis]

I went to the doctor today as my depression is kicking in and knocking my anxiety to shit.

She explained my depression saying it is chronic and i need to accept that my mood is never going to get anywhere near that of an average persons (doing hand signs to show me the levels between me and an average person).

She said if it took someone with depression 6 months of using anti depressants to feel better - she would advise them to continue for another 6 months.

She said in my case with me having chronic depression - i should stay on them for good. Long term.

Now i dont personally feel my depression is extreme enough for that to be the case.
I have my dips when it does get too much, but i have a good handle on things up until the dip...which i feel i have more better days than i do bad regarding the depression. Anxiety - im not as good as keeping a lid on that.

I dont know. I just kind of feel it is an extreme approach and ive came out feeling worse than i did when i went in.

Does anybody else have to stay on anti depressants for good?

I've been on anti depressants for years and I believe I will be on them forever. It annoyed me at first but then I thought surely it is better to just take a tablet every day and function more or less normally than to live out my remaining years veering between anxiety, terror and depression? What would it achieve? I could feel all smug about not being reliant on drugs, but then I'd be miserable and it would affect my family too.

There is no shame in needing medication for mental illness any more than there is shame in needing medication for physical illness.

I really feel for you. I am in a similar position, although i do not agree with my diagnosis and am better off w/o my meds i would suggest taking some therapy instead or counselling maybe?

I'm not depressed, but do get anxious, and very impatient when I have pmt. I saw a therapist for over 7 years, which helped me understand myself, but never stopped me being anxious. I started taking a super low dose of Prozac and it completely changed my life. That anxious voice making me second guess everything just evaporated. My relationships are so much easier and I am so much more confident - and successful - at work. I pray that I will never have to come off them.

Why would you want to come off something that makes you feel better?

I really feel for you. I am in a similar position, although i do not agree with my diagnosis and am better off w/o my meds i would suggest taking some therapy instead or counselling maybe?