Did antidepressants help you?

Question

I’m thinking of seeing a doctor to get antidepressants but I’m scared. I feel like my trauma and depression has froze me in place. I’m unmoving. I can’t live the productive, fulfilling life that I want and it has put my entire life on hold for so long. I thought I could do it without them but I don’t think I can and I hate myself for that. I’m too depressed to even try healing without any help. But I’m scared they won’t help. I’m scared nothing will help. I don’t want to live like this but the thought of them not working and happiness being unachievable scares me. I can’t afford therapy (my insurance doesn’t cover it) but I’m hoping I’ll get the motivation to work if my depression and anxiety just subsides a little and then I can pay the $100 for regular therapy visits. I’m still so young and I already wasted my teenage years to depression and I don’t want my 20’s to be the same. 
So did they help you? What was your experience?

Answer

For many, depression can feel like you are drowning...slipping deeper and deeper into a sea of despair when all you want is to be on solid ground, a sunny beach if you will. I often use this analogy and liken antidepressants to a raft and therapy to oars. 
If someone gives you a raft (antidepressants) you can climb on and it keeps your head above water, but you are still out bobbing around in the middle of the ocean, unable to propel yourself towards solid ground and at risk of capsizing and falling back into the ocean at any time. 
Once you are on that raft though, and someone hands you oars (therapy), you can start doing the work and moving yourself into shallower and shallower waters and closer and closer to that sunny beach. 
The point is antidepressants alone are probably not going to solve your problems, but there is a good chance they will get your head above water so you can start doing the hard work.

Answer

For me antidepressants were the most amazing first step. I had severe social anxiety more than depression (I was mostly depressed because my anxiety kept me from doing anything). The medicine relieved my anxiety symptoms enough so that I could do therapy, and many other things that improved my life. It’s important to remember that we’re all different bodies so the med that worked for me might not work as well for others, so please don’t give up if the first medication doesn’t help. I know it sucks when the first one is a dud, I’ve been there, but it’s so worth it when you find the one that does work.

Answer

Zoloft was a life saver!

Answer

They didn’t work for me and I tried several medications. I actually had an adverse reaction to medication. Once I weened off and continued therapy and started working out daily, that was the only thing that worked for me. Working out is a HUGE factor for me.

Answer

I LOVE pristiq. I take for anxiety, but I think it can be for depression too!! It’s trial and error finding what works best for you.

Answer

I tried a number of different medications but Zoloft worked best for me! I never had any issues with it. Being on it also gave me the boost I need to get myself into therapy and start figuring out how to cope with all my trauma. Unfortunately covid, video apts only + a therapist who was covid obsessed I stopped going but I am looking to find a new therapist and get back into it soon.

Answer

Honestly? For me, no. It never got to the root or core of my issues and trauma. It was still there. Therapy was the best option for me personally. But my close friends does a combo and it works for her. My uncle takes meds and it works for him. It’s honestly all about what works best for you! Sometimes it takes a bit to find the right dosage of meds and type. It takes time but good things take time! I hope you find what you need as you deserve happiness 💛

Answer

They did! I was on lexapro and it was amazing and I never felt better. But, it completely killed my sex drive and I literally couldn’t even feel anything during sex and never orgasmed the entire time I was on it. That’s the main reason I went off and switched to other types of meds. Not everyone has that issue though!

Did antidepressants help you?

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey