Hi John,
I agree with you.
My reply was also a lighthearted way to disagree with this "light out" comment. For a long time, the name Prozac was used in many jokes to the point that it is now grossly misunderstood as some "feel good" drug some careless doctors throw to their patients. In my practice, Prozac is probably the most commonly used antidepressant due to its superior efficacy, side effect profile, and versatile indications. It is also very effective for premature ejaculation, OCD, and fibromyalgia. These are conditions that probably have silmilar physiological/molecular pathways. You and I both know that the reason of Prozac being so widely used is not due to drug "pushing" by manufacturer and politicians, but rather being simply a very effective medication. Its price is actually much cheaper than Paxil, Zoloft, and others. There is no financial incentive to "push" this drug and it deserves more credit than it is receiving. Of course this is vastly due to the general ignorance of the general public. Using antidepressant does not "mask" a condition as steveny implied. Depression is a medical condition that needs to be TREATED just like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, and many others. People don't have any idea how many lives have been saved, how many people are brought back on their feet, how many marriages are saved, and so on. BTW, I have no affiliation with any drug company, nor do I greet drug reps in my clinic.
Your humble colleague,
Steve