DINT - I have another take on this as I was suffering rlly badly from depression after break up with dp, miscarriage etc all got on top of me.
I was signed off work by my gp and luckily for me had BUPA cover from work so was referred to the Priory clinic in Chelmsford, Essex. Saw a psych there first to establish all my probs and discuss treatment.
I was adament that I didt want AD's and stuck to my guns. I had a wonderful counseelor and attended many group sessions too, the ones I found most useful were Cognitive Therapy (changes the way you percieve things) and Art Therapy (lets you express yourself and problems through artwork/masks etc without even knowing you're doing it) and I found them to be truly great.
I got to the point once when I thought I couldnt cope and was ready to be admitted as an in-patient but couldnt go through with it.
I did however have a relapse a couple of years later and end up on AD's. Worse thing Ive ever done as it turned out I was allergic to them (fluoxetine) and ended up in a-shock with them and nearly died (quite ironic when you're trying to stop being suicidal!!)
You can learn to cope quite well without them, i think that AD's work for some people but not all people need them. I feel that some GP's dish them out to save resources for counselling. It just seems like the easier option for them in a lot of cases. Take for istance my DP was attacked by group of kids and sprayed in eyes with Mace. he went to GP and discussed it with her and got ointment for his eyes, as he said it had unnerved him she prescribed him AD's. I was astounded that she would do this and he obv has never taken them but she doesn't know that and has NEVER followed it up with another visit to see how he is.
Sorry to rant on a bit just wanted to give another perspective. xxx