[CW: DEPRESSION]
spoiler
I’ve been at a really low point with my mental health, I’ve lost the motivation to do most things save for personal hygiene and grooming. I wouldn’t say that my situation is severe thankfully, but it is seriously hindering my academic, physical health, career prospects, and personal relationships. I want to talk to my doctor and get started on antidepressants before I really lose control of my life.
One of my close friends is on antidepressants and that gave me enough courage to actually seek help from my primary care physician. But right now I need some more information.
My question: Those of you who are on -or have been on- antidepressants, what were your experiences? I’m really worried about side effects (mainly CNS, Autonomic, and especially the risk of serotonin syndrome) while taking these kinds of drugs. But I’d also like to know about your experiences first taking them, how you’ve adjusted to doses, and how you overall felt. Experiences with other therapies are also welcome!
Please don’t be shy, and share as much as you feel comfortable! Thank you!
Zoloft (Sertraline): First antidepressant I ever took, it kinda worked but I didn’t feel good just less bad. Also destroyed my sex drive. I went up doses over a long stretch of time before adding Wellbutrin and then stopping Zoloft.
Prozac (Fluoxetine): Made me super nauseous and felt like my brain was very loud. Did not like. Stopped on the lowest dose because of the side effects. My partner was on it for years and it worked well though, with just a couple weeks of nausea that ended.
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) Not actually an SSRI or SNRI, it’s an “atypical antidepressant” which basically means “idk but it works.” Works so so well. It’s what lets me operate on a daily basis. I feel like I have the normal range of human emotions. Side effects: Increased libido, increased sweating, and mild tinnitus. Oh and I cry really easily at tv and movies now. I’m currently on 300mg, I started on 150mg and then went up, at 450mg my anxiety got worse so took it back down. 300 seems to have me in a good place.
I also take Buspar (Buspirone) along with Wellbutrin, because Wellbutrin helps with depression but unlike SSRIs and SNRIs does nothing for anxiety. I think I’m taking 15mg twice a day of that.
Wow wellbutrin sounds amazing. One of my biggest challenges is how hard it is to cry,
There’s a playlist for that !
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Yes. I feel very blocked up when I want to cry and I wish I could just cry a lot. For me, crying is very rare and cathartic but I can imagine how it would be otherwise if you could do/did it too much.
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It’s a very intense and personal thing. For me, it was a cathartic release that I was shamed for and lost and I want back. But that def is not the universal view of it.