Scared of antidepressants

Wing,

I totally feel you. I was faced with this same situation over the summer. I had a panic attack that spurred and anxious bout that started in April. By the end of May, I was seriously considering getting on an AD (something that I had never considered). But I was feeling like I was losing my mind AND had some agoraphobia. So I was stuck in my house, being anxious and feeling like a crap mom.

My therapist suggested getting on a daily dose of xanax, since I was comfortable with that drug. knowing that xanax isn't considered a long term solution to anxiety, I researched every single AD. At my next psych appointment I asked him for a recommendation and he said he would prescribe me Lexapro. I accepted his rec and even had him write out a script, just incase. Well, I was not getting any better, so I filled it.

But just like you, I had soooo many fears. Legitimate fears!! I mean, we are anxious people. Of course we are going to be anxious to take a pill:) But I didn't end up taking it. By this time it was August. Four long months since the bout had started. Something in me changed and I don't know how or what. I had hope again, all of a sudden (though I didn't feel any better).

Medication is truly a personal choice. My treatment plan isn't for everybody, just like yours won't be. It is unfortunate that there isn't just a pill that everyone could take and make them feel better. Wouldn't that be easy!! But how medication works in the body is just as individual as each person.

I have been in recovery since September. I started tapering off my daily dose of xanax in September and was completely off about three weeks later with zero withdrawl. I am not back to 100%, but I am waaaaay better than I was last summer and that's all that matters to me.

I'm pretty sure if I would have taken the Lex I would have gotten better faster. That's a decision I think about a lot. I have had two other anxious bouts and understand that there is a good chance I will have another in the future. If it is bad again, I would seriously consider taking an SSRI, as I'm not quite sure I could handle something like this again.

I wish you the absolute best with this decision. Just know you are not alone in this. Most of us have faced it and understand how hard of a decision it can be. ❤️❤️

WZ,

As the others mentioned...everyone is different, and medication as a treatment option is an entirely personal decision.

However, I can hopefully ease one of your concerns for you...

Out of the literally thousands or so posts I have read...I have never heard of one person 'going crazy' from their antidepressant...

(I myself have made 17,000 plus posts/replies...so you can imagine how many posts I have simply read!!!)

...and only a couple (literally maybe 2) have reported severe reactions.

The majority (almost all!) have mild to negligable side effects. Some have moderate issues, but they fade within a couple of weeks, and end up with a med that really works for them.;)

I wish you the best on your decision, and please know that we support you in whatever you ultimately choose to do!

S.C.

andews
So I started on 6 point something ( super small)
Then after a week I went up to half of the pill then to 25 mgs , I'm on 37 mgs now I want to go up to 50 the doc says that's the minimum of the therapeutic ,,
Oh let me tell you I was terefied but I did it , I still worry about taking them like what will happen once I stop and so on , but I'll cross that bridge once I get there :),
Are you going to start Zoloft as well ?