[letstryagain]

I've been taking SSRIs for more than a decade. In the last few years I've learned that they don't seem to work much better than placebos. That may be true but it does not matter. They work for me and the side effects are minimal so I will keep taking them. SSRIs have made a huge difference to my quality of life. I don't care if I'm just taking a placebo at this point, as long as I'm getting the results I need.

[sjg007]

do or did you drink alcohol? and did you stop or not?

*Edit: The reason I ask is because most SSRIs say do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. It could be discontinuation of alcohol that relieves depression.

[DanBC]

To support what you say here's the nice guidance for problem drinking combined with mental health problems. The guidance is very clear: you treat an alcohol addiction before you treat the depression because the depression is likely to become less severe as you treat the problem drinking.

http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg115/chapter/Key-priorities...

> For people who misuse alcohol and have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders, treat the alcohol misuse first as this may lead to significant improvement in the depression and anxiety. If depression or anxiety continues after 3 to 4 weeks of abstinence from alcohol, undertake an assessment of the depression or anxiety and consider referral and treatment in line with the relevant NICE guideline for the particular disorder[3].

So, it's true for the general population. But it's a bit rude to ask one individual if they had problem drinking or to suggest their illness was problem drinking.

[letstryagain]

No, I did not drink before or after starting SSRIs. I've also in the last few years experimented several times with reducing my SSRI dosage but my current level works best.