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Comment by scott_karana | Hacker News Reader

> Articles reporting negatively on antidepressants should come with a huge disclaimer to those taking them that they should continue to do so unless their doctor / psychiatrist recommends otherwise.

Shouldn't choosing "my wellbeing over that of my child" be a personal choice, not a healthcare provider choice?...

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You make it sound pretty simple. It's not simple at all. Having untreated depression or anxiety during pregnancy also has bad effects on the child. This is not a decision you make based on one study you read on the internet. You make it based on lots of research, preferably with the help of a perinatal psychiatrist.

You may or may not have had experience with anti depressants. But in the cases referenced in the article (mild to moderate depression), especially during pregnancy, the choice is always with the patient (at least with any good physician). I believe the point being made here is consult with a doctor, since she may have some insight to your specific situation that will help you make an informed decision.

If a physician is forcing or heavily influencing your decision, then its likely that the depression is severe, that you don't have the best physician, or some other unusual circumstance.

Of course, but making an informed choice means discussing it with your doctor, and balancing a very small (yes it is, read the abstract) additional chance of ASD against a practical guarantee of biochemical upheaval, for mother and baby both, which will result from discontinuing an SSRI.

That's a pretty simplistic formulation. Doesn't sound like you've encountered the harm that a depressed mother can inflict on a child, born or unborn.

It's the choice between telling your doctor you are concerned and would like help to stop the meds vs just flushing them.

As an aside, NEVER flush medicine. Only dispose of them through proper channels which vary depending on where you live.

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