Here is the deal with this.
I myself have been on anti-depressants. When I was much younger, I had a rare and unrecognizable condition whereby I had constant vertigo. Multiple visits to neurologists, ENT's, etc. and nobody could figure out the cause.
Finally, a neurologist suggested, "Maybe it's a physical manifestation of stress?"
So I began psychotherapy whereby I was placed on anti-depressants. The doctor I worked with seemed bogus and I felt it was a waste, especially because I was fairly certain that it was not the cause of the problem. I switched psychiatrists, and that psychiatrist prescribed medication like candy. He tried anti-psychotics (just because of the anti-anxiety and sedative side-effects), anti-depressants, and more... all at once. The result? I was asleep throughout most of middle and high-school due to the sedative side-effects.
Shortly afterwards, I was diagnosed with an intestinal medical condition, completely uncurable. The condition, along with the sedative qualities of the medications (which were later deemed WAY overkill when I switched to another psychiatrist), created a need for me to switch into a sub-school (of my regular school) for children with severe learning issues. It lowered my self-esteem and I was taught nothing. Those schools are essentially finger-painting 24/7.
When I switched psychiatrists again, this time because I felt the previous one was popping pills into my mouth like I was a science experiment, it was decided that there really was NO NEED for me to be on ANY of those meds. The doctor offered for me to stay on a mild anti-depressant, simply because by this point I actually was mildly depressed from the troubles the last doctors had caused me and my real medical condition.
Not long after, I was taken off those drugs and was fine for years. Didn't see anybody for a long time.
About 2 years ago, I began experiencing anxiety and depression after I dealt with a very unruly girl, and some very unprofessional professors. I tried psychotherapy again just for the heck of it to see if it would help. It didn't. The psychologist suggested I get a psychiatrist involved. He like the doctor from my childhood, began popping pills into me. This time I didn't have negative side effects, but at the same time I felt the effects weren't treating my problems at the time.
A few months ago I switched back to my psychiatrist (the one who had originally deemed medication was not needed). He once again said I had fallen victim to over-prescribing doctors and said that there was absolutely no need to be on any medication. He believed my anxiety and depression to be within reasonable and healthy levels under the situations I was going through.
I was taken off of those meds, and once again was fine.
Now the only thing that I ever take is a Xanax once in a blue moon (prescription) to help me deal with stress due to my medical condition (flares, etc).
My case shows that these pills are prescribed without need, and that just because somebody has been on them, doesn't mean they needed them. I never needed pills. I needed time, and patience. That was it.
The doctors are eager however to try the newest meds to see if it helps.
If the legal usage of those meds one day prohibit me from owning a firearm, it will be a sad day. I have no mental issues. I have the same problems your average Joe has with depression and anxiety.
My mistake was that I gave doctors a chance to make things better, faster.... which both didn't work, and eventually may need to be explained on my record, if laws go into place prohibiting ownership.
Many people on such drugs are like me. They don't really have a problem. They're sane and normal people like me. The have no real mental disorder. They just have bought into the enticing notion of quick solutions via pills to problems that aren't severe enough to warrant them.
We all get stressed, and depressed sometimes. If one day we get penalized for giving doctors a chance to make things easier - it will be sad.