Dangers of long-term anti-depressant use

Is anyone aware of any dangers linked with the long-term use of anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications? I'm not talking a couple years, I mean like for the rest of your life. Will they continue maintaining the balance of neuro-chemicals in the brain, or will they fry it?

[Jaquta]

Addiction can be a problem associated with some anti-anxiety medications.

With some meds you develop a tolerance so need to look at increasing doses or changing meds.

I personally think that psychotherapy is a way better approach than medication.  If you talk through and resolve issues the need for medication should decrease.

Everyone is different.  You should ensure you have this discussion with your doctor too.

[mammo]

Many of us have, and will take medication all their lives, because nothing else has worked.  You need to do whatever allows you to have a normal life and function day to day.
Some of us have a "root cause" for our anxiety and this is when therapy can help, but many of us never discover why we have depression and/or anxiety and medication is our only choice.  Anxiety/depression can be like any other medical condition that requires daily medication to control the symptoms.  Hope this helps and best wishes.  

[lilymoon]

As far as I know they do not fry it,since most ssris are relatively new i think there is lil data on real long term effects.my take on it is i rather live shorter but happy then be in hell and live longer....lily