Today I finally went to a psychiatrist and got formally diagnosed with dysthymia. Not sure how to feel about it. On one hand, it sucks having this but in the other, now I know it is something else and not just me being dramatic and exagerating my feelings.
Anyways, they gaved me Fluoxetine for 1 month. Do any of you have any particular experience with taking this specific drug or any other SSRI? I know I have to take them, earlier this year we studied about antidepressants and know somewhat well how they work and what to expect, but I am still nervous/afraid about finally starting treatment.
Any info or experience would help thanks in advance 🙏
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LynnSalv
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They will make you feel worse before they start working but I have had them for a long time this is my 3rd time on them and each time I have found them helpful ,when you start taking them you feel awful (or that was my experience) but keep taking them and I assure you you will feel the benefit from them and you will start to feel like the real you again soon , If you have any questions or I can help just put a message on here x
How would you describe "awful" ? I am two weeks into a low/reduced dose of Fluoxetine. I feel tired, floaty, unreal, off balance which causes more anxiety. I have started face-to face therapy and have been taught breathing exercises. The problems causing the anxiety are not going to go away, so I am desperate for help in coping.
Hi LynnSalv, I am excited for you to try something new. I went on fluoxetine for a few years and really liked it. I did find that the SSRIs make me feel tired, and quite mellow, but that is so much better than unbearably anxious.
My Drs scaled up my dose pretty slowly so I think that side effects for me were minimized for me when beginning.
When I started my current drug I did feel a great spike in anxiety, but knowing it was just my body adjusting to the new drugs helped me stay calm.
Also, I really hope you are able to do therapy in conjunction with medication. I truly believe that if we can change the way we think we can change the way we feel.
I’m on that now and it’s working for me. It took the psychiatrist a year to get me on a cocktail of drugs to get me stable. But they’re working now. And it’s a blessing. Good luck. I don’t think you need to be afraid.
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