It appears to me that you are making a quantum leap from behavior change to chemical change. A behavioral change may be achieved over time with appropiate psychotherapeutic intervention and the application of either cognitive or shame/affect methodologies. This gradual change is usually volutional in that the client recognized the need for change (by seeking therapy) and that the change is gradual and proceeds in a consensual fashion. Thus, if the personality in-itself actually changes it is the result of mutually agreed upon (client/therapist) plan and goal and the outcome is achieved with the full knowledge and consent (patient.s rights) of the client. The introduction of a chemical agent into the therapeutic process (ie. SSRI/Tricyclic etc.) significantly changes this process for it introduces a third factor...the unknown. I happen to be "pro" SSRI's for I have seen the positive effects it can have on alleviating depression. On the other hand I would be cautious for I am also aware of the possible numbing effects that any psychotropic med can potentially have on both personality and human initiative. I have posted on the use of SSRI's in the evolutional psychology forum warning of some of the possible societal "side effects" if even a large minority of any given population were to become dependent on one or another of these types of meds. Just for the sake of arguement what if the following individuals were, at their time in history, ona anti depressent or anti anxiety medication: Aristotle, Jesus Christ, Moses, Alexander the Great, Columbus, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson. Karl Marx, Albert Eienstein. I hope you see my point. It may be that these brain chemicals are major advancements overall in alleviating personal pain and suffering but it also my be why our contempory lives seem to screem out for change and difference. I remind both you, Jim and Dan, "Do not go gentle into that goodnight"............Ed