It takes more than a week to notice you've come off the perscription.
That's bullshit. Now shut up or I'll have to kill you and everyone else on these boards.
It really depends on the person, the amount taken and other variables. The doctor first prescribed it when I was under a lot of stress at work and almost had a physical collapse. Just taking it a first was a placebo in itself. Now, I don't really think I need it and from what I've read for such a widely prescribed drug it has some serious side effects.
Some of the depression is also, I believe, just a product of the frigging aging process and the changes that our bodies experience. You are not depressed necessarily because your life depresses you as much as your body just doesn't make the right chemicals and hormones anymore that used to make you feel happier. I used to run all the time and always was up, now I need to get back into the exercise habit to get them damn little endorphins popping.
I actually like Christmas We had big family and even though we were lower middle economic class in the 50's, we always had a great Christmas season. With seven kids, we got one toy and the rest was clothes. I try to explain that to my 11 year old grandson who gets more in one season than I got all my childhood, and it doesn't compute with him.
This year he found a Marine Corps emblem key holder and was so proud and happy to buy it for me, that it made my Christmas Eve. He is old enough to not only enjoy getting but also giving.
Buck up Retired, I still think you're a conservative asshole with you head up to your shoulders and breath that smells like a fart. That in itself should lift your spirits.
Better yet, take "Mrs. Claus" with you and let her buy it. 
