I think you're right to do what you need to in order to help yourself. You've done your best with Paleo and it's only gotten you so far. I think even those of us who are generally against pharmaceuticals will acknowledge that there very well can be a time and place when they're helpful. It sounds like you might be at that time and place.

But I'm glad to hear your logic on it -- use the drug as one of a variety of tools to help yourself come back to balance. It can be a useful adjunct on top of diet and CBT. And I'm also glad to hear that you intend not to take it for life. There's no reason you should need to.

Even though we don't want to use medication, sometimes it serves a helpful purpose as a kind of bridge that keeps us going and feeling okay while we tinker with other things and work at getting to what's truly underlying our imbalances.

Be kind to yourself, HB. Going on meds isn't a weakness or a failure. It's you recognizing that you could only do so much on your own, for now. But do keep digging for answers and solutions. {{Hugs}}

I was on antidepressants for about 9 years, all through college and until I was almost 30. I needed them in college, and it made a big difference in my life. One piece of advice: if Prozac doesn't work for you, don't assume it's a problem with you. I tried Prozac, and it did nothing. I tried Effexor, and my sex drive completely disappeared, plus the depression only mildly improved. I tried some other SSRI, and my weight ballooned by 25 pounds. The only thing I found that worked for me was Wellbutrin XL, and I stayed on it for nearly 6 years.

I'm glad that you're also working with the diet, activity level, and therapy. I was finally able to wean myself from the Wellbutrin when I started eating meat after 18 years as a vegetarian. I kick myself now, when I think of how I used to starve my brain of fats and amino acids. I might have had a very different life if I had realized how vegetarianism (and soy, which I seem to have a reaction to, but used to eat all the time) affected me. Keep experimenting with your diet and sleep, and don't accept antidepressants that don't work for you. If you aren't seeing what you want after about three weeks, tell your doctor you want a change. Don't give up!

Agree with everything said above. Been there, done that. Like you, I seem to have a familial component also. Paleo has helped a lot but it isn't a cure all. So far I've been off meds for about 9 months. However, I wouldn't hesitate (well, maybe a little bit) to go back on if I really thought they could be of benefit and neither should you. It won't be forever. Remember, how you feel and how you are able to function is what is most important so do what you need to do to get there. Good luck to you!

No. There is no reason and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.

Do what you need to do to feel better. Use the Prozac then wean off it like you said. Perhaps replace it with some 5htp (which increases serotonin rather than just keeping it in the synapse longer). Also a product called PharmaGaba is great for anxiety. My biggest concern about the long term use of any SSRIs is that they are known to desensitize the nerve cells (which is why people often need more and more). Its a known phenomenon and docs even have a name for it - "Prozac Poop Out".
5htp can really really help and it because it doesn't block the re-uptake of serotonin, rather it gives you more serotonin, this desensitization doesn't occur.

I hope you have ruled out some physical things as well, the usual suspects: low thyroid hormones, sex hormone imbalances, low lithium level, low iron level, too high copper level, 5mthfr gene defect, to name a few.

A specific type of CBT called DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) can be very helpful for people who suffer from chronic depression. All the best to you.
Do what you know you need to do. You already have the answer.

Do whatever you need to do in order to be healthy and happy.

Re exercise: I'd stay away from any high-intensity exercise (HIIT, weights) until you're feeling better to minimize cortisol release. For most of us, 20 minutes of moderate cardio 2-3 times a week is an excellent mood-elevator.

Not everything can be fixed by diet. Depression is not something to mess around with and you have tried "the natural" route and are still struggling.

That being said, I was put on Prozac 5 years ago, but it made matters worse. I would literally sleep for 6 hours and then be wide awake, completely unable to go back to sleep. I would need a nap around 8AM, the time I would usually begin teaching. Give it some time, but definitely keep a journal of any changes you make in diet/routine, as well as changes in your mood/body/attitude.