I guess this is the way things are for now

[Jess_0028]

This is all kind of new to me since I never thought things would come to this point for me but recently I went to the doctors to talk about the way I've been feeling with my depression and anxiety and they have decided to put me on antidepressants. I mean they are like the least effective when it comes to side effects out of all the different types but I still feel unsure if they would actually help me or not cause at this point I'm just unsure of what to do and I don't want to end up making things worse for myself like what if I end focusing less or I'm constantly feeling sick most of the time? I just want to know if anyone else has been put on any sort of antidepressant or any medication for that matter and if it has helped them or not cause I'm really worried of anything that can happen right now..

[jaxstad]

Like yourself I was very worried about starting medication, but I tired for several months with remedies and didn’t really get anywhere. I’m 10 weeks in now and I’m feeling the difference for sure. I can’t lie, it has been a rollacoaster. People notice the difference in me.

[Jess_0028 in reply to jaxstad]

I understand where you're coming from when you say you didn't get anywhere. I'm probably more worried about the medication not working out for me rather than me having to take them. It's good you feel different now and yeah I'm guessing with these types of medication your emotions are always up and down, I'm really hoping it just all works for me in the end. I'm also hoping people notice the difference as well since at school I feel like I look and act really negative all the time so people want to stay away from me or give me weird looks, I'm surprised my friends still talk to me sometimes.

Anyway hope things continue working out for you,

Jess x

[jaxstad in reply to Jess_0028]

In all of this Jess, you really need to focus on yourself and not what others think of you. Pace yourself and don’t try and rush things. I’m more than sure your a strong girl and can push through this.

[Hidden]

There are side effects when taking this sort of medication, the problem is you need to be patient and remember to allow about five weeks before you begin to feel some benefit.

We all can sometimes feel rough in the early stages of a new medication. try and bite the bullet and hopefully all will go well for you

BOB

[Jess_0028 in reply to Hidden]

I've only recently started taking them so thanks for telling me that I need to wait some weeks until it starts working, I'm not sure if I'm actually gonna feel any difference in the way I'm feeling but I'm hoping either way because I've honestly felt so depressed for so long.

Likewise things go well for you too.

Jess x

[Hidden in reply to Jess_0028]

Consider around five weeks for medications to begin to work

BOB

[welly10]

Hi jess

Side effects are different for everyone and getting on the right anti d is the main focus.i was on citalopram for about a year weaned off then a few months in it all came back dont know where from but now on mirtazipine have been for a while but I also have underactive thyroid so it's like a double hit of low mood/depression but the meds really help my imbalance because that's what it is a chemical imbalance in your brain.so whatever helps you maintain your balance go with it.good luck for the future there are plenty of people on here with different answers but try and take something from them all.

[Jess_0028 in reply to welly10]

Yeah to be honest it kind of worries me that it does things to your brain and I've heard that antidepressants sometimes makes things worse for people and I really don't want that to be the case for me. But I'm just gonna go with the flow for now and see what happens...thanks for the advice/guidance and hope you are doing well x

[Hidden]

Hi Jess,

I was put on a antidepressant years ago, and I stopped taking it as I found it was clouding my judgment. Looking back I don't think my depression was as low as it could go as I still wanted to try to work things out and try to understand where my head was.

I had a rough few years recently, and first was put on sertraline, when I say rough, I mean my head was in a suicidal state. I must admit that it was a strange couple of months whilst going through the side effects, which weren't at all pleasant. But after about six weeks, I felt good, and life got back to normal. After probably about a year, sertraline didn't seem to be working much anymore.

The Doctor the winged me off of sertraline and got me started on mirtazapine. The cross over didn't seem to have a great deal of side effects, but now I just feel normal.

Please do be aware that when you get to the "feeling normal" stage, keep taking your meds, it's very tempting to come off of them as "I'm OK now" 😏 these tablets aren't doing anything". But if your feeling normal, they are working, they are replacing the chemical needed for you to function properly.

Hope this will help.

Steve

[Jess_0028 in reply to Hidden]

Hey Steve, I really appreciate the advice you're giving me and telling me about the tough times you've been through with different medication which I am sorry for, I guess it is going to take some time since I've only started taking them for like 2 days but hopefully I'll be feeling normal again soon cause I honestly don't even remember what its like to be myself. The medication is really mild since this is my first time taking them so hopefully there won't be any side effects as like you said I'm aware that they are unpleasant but I guess you have to be strong when dealing with these types of things. Hopefully you are feeling ok now and you continue to do so, once again thanks for the guidance.

Jess xx

[Hidden in reply to Jess_0028]

Hi, Jess

Although it's easy to say, you will find that you will make it, just keep strong.

I am fine now and learnt a lot about myself and mental illnesses.

I now practice mindfulness mediation every day since attending a mindfulness ten week course at the start of the year which I will certainly recommend. The course was a nhs talking therapies course.

However, don't run before you can walk, get the chemical balance right and when you found your "old self", that's the time to start learning about coping strategies.

Every one is different, but I wish you well on reaching happiness.

Steve