I have been on antidepressants for over 10years now. There is no longer term issues, only issue is they can no longer be of any use and that's when a different antidepressant can come in handy. They are there to help balance out the chemical inbalance. Anything else that you find works, counseling, natural etc is all worth trying, anything for a better quality of life. I have felt the best in the last two years than I have for a long time, just recently I haven't been so good due to my grandma passing and that's not the antidepressants fault...it's me and how I am dealing with it. Hope this helps because I often wonder if I will ever come off my antidepressants and my specialist told me to veiw it like a heart medication, you don't come off that because it keeps you going same with antidepressants.

I have it took a few weeks but worked for me for awhile but then stopped working I'm now on Sertraline but that's not working for me either at the mo

I take Venlafaxine and have done for quite some time. I would say you need to give it longer to work for you as I think it can take 4 weeks or so to start having a noticeable effect. It may be worth seeing your GP and asking them to explain more about the medication as understanding more about what you are taking can make it easier to deal with.

For quite a time now I have been seeming a councillor who I trust to share my issues with, on a weekly basis........I know I'd have taken my life had I not had this outlet to express my inner thoughts. Are you having any other help alongside the antidepressants?

I am starting to question how long I should keep taking antidepressants.... What will they do to me longer term......yes, I've read medicine side-effects leaflet so am not clueless.....just how long will my illness need medication to help me?! .... How long is a leice of string?!!!!!!!!

I took this antidepressant for over 6 weeks & finally decided that it was doing nothing to help me so changed to Venlablue 75gm XL - I haven't suddenly become well again but I think my symptoms are somewhat easier to manage than before...however, it may just be a falacy with my brain as dysfunctional as it always has been!! Still have mood swings & suicidal thoughts......so I suggest that antidepressants are not the answer with no additional interventions.