Remember that doctors have 2 tools only. The prescription pad, and scalpel. Period. So whatever medical problem you have, those are the ONLY two tools doctors will think of; medication or surgery. For depression or anxiety, that means they will only think of pills, since ice pick lobotomies are frowned upon as barbaric and ineffective these days.

Most people with regular depression can overcome it, but not with pills. The reason doctors think depression is permanent is because their pills don’t work well, and in their way of thinking, pills are the only possible solution. Plus, they make lots of money for quick and easy appointments where they’ll up the dose if you’re feeling worse, or lower it if the side effects get worse.

Antidepressants work slightly better than placebos, but only for severe depression.

There was a scandal that got almost no press, but it turns out that the drug companies didn’t report all the studies on antidepressants. About half the studies show no benefits over a placebo, or it’s worse than placebo. And half show it works better than a placebo. They can afford to do lots of these $50m - $100m studies and only submit the favorable ones to the FDA. This is completely legal.

Meanwhile, exercise is proven to have huge benefits for depression. Meditation as well. Also, psychotherapy. Use those.

Unless you’re in an inpatient facility, involuntary confinement at a mental ward, the doctors can’t force you to take medications. You can just insist that it’s time to stop the medication, say you’re having intolerable side effects and you don’t want to try a new medication, and tell him you want to taper off safely. We’re not doctors, so officially, I will suggest you taper off under your doctor’s supervision.

How long it will take to taper off depends on the drug, your symptoms, and the dose. It’s a good idea to go slowly. Also, as you taper down you need to put in place meditation, workouts, and possibly also talk therapy. Talk therapy won’t help with curing PFS but if you’re depressed or anxious, it can help with those, and indirectly help your recovery in that way.