I have been on antidepressants twice in my life. Once during a very bitter divoice when I was on them for around 4 years. I have been on them this time for nearly 3 years. Both times I came off them very gradually, instead of 2 a day I took 1 a day, then cut down to 1 every other day and then 1 every 2 days and I am now on 1 every 4 days. There have been times when I was upset and have been tempted to increase them again but so far have managed.

Im sorry but I dont agree with your doctor, I know lots of people who have suffered depression and are now off medication. Most people become depressed due to circumstances at the time, remove the circumstances and the depression improves. Medication is brilliant at helping you cope and for me it proved a life saver, but to say that I will be depressed for the rest of my life is simply not true.

Taking antidepressants while you need them is sensible and no different to taking any other medication but if you feel able to cope without them I cant see why your GP is so against this. I reduced my dosage myself but when I told my GP he was very pleased as he was going to suggest this course of action to me. I think you need to do what feels right for you. Personally I dont want to take a tablet I dont need for the rest of my life. If in the future I suffer from depression then I would consider medication but I have always considered it to be a short term help rather than a lifelong committment.

Well done for reducing your dosage and managing so well up to this point.