After doing some research, I felt skeptical of the efficacy of SSRIs for brain injury patients. Among other things, unlike drugs like insulin or statins, I discovered that nobody could explain how SSRIs actually worked. I decided not to take them and have managed my depression and anxiety without drugs.

Things are not perfect, but, although I suffered a significant injury, I seem to be coping as well, or better, than many of my TBI peers. Mind you, I had no pre-morbid history of depression or anxiety.

In the end, each patient has to make their own decision about meds. I made mine, in conjunction with my psychologist.

The tipping point, for me, was Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital's study on TBI and SSRIs. sunnybrook.ca/media/item.asp?c=1&i=258

Published in the November 2008 issue of the Journal of Psychopharmacology, it is the largest study on SSRIs in the treatment of major depression following TBI - and the only one NOT funded by the drug companies.

The study found no improvement in TBI patients on SSRIs and, in some cases, the drugs deepened the depression.