Have you taken Anti-depressants? What have you experienced? [Do Not Share Medication Name or Dosage]
I've only tried [meds name removed by FM @RaCat] and got hallucinations from a single low dose that lasted for a few days (my family always seems to get the weird side-effects). I'm going to try again soon with another type, but I'm honestly pretty scared.
What are your experiences?
I want to hear all about it; the good, the bad, and anything you'd like to share!
[MonBon edited title and post for clarification on guideline #6]
I tried an anti-depressant 40 or 50 years ago, it did nothing at all. Left me with a rather negative view of them. On the other hand, my daughter is now taking them, and it has been a remarkable difference. She is back to being a fairly normal person again
@MoonOrchid I took some after the recommendation of my therapist and my doctor because I was being prideful and didn't want to take medicine. As a therapist, my hestitations towards medication were very hypocritical of me, but I am so glad I did it! It was the extra help I needed to get through a particularly difficult rut. I also feel that now I have a personal knowledge of what that process was like. I was on a low dosage of a general SSRI for about 9 months. I experienced some fatigue, but I started taking it at night and then my body got used to it. It was not an instant change, but I kept a log of my daily mood and noticed a significant change after about 3 weeks (2-6 weeks is typical). After 9 months and discussing it with my therapist and my doctor, I weaned off. It's nice to know that I can go back on if ever needed.
My family started to notice a change in me within weeks of taking meds. My experience has been mostly positive, but I get side affects of tiredness and slight muscle twitching. I've now been taking it for about 4 years. I've upped the dosage since then & it really helps to calm me and feel overall better.
Ive had a rollercoaster with ADs. Since age 17 (Im 34 now) Ive had periods of severe depression where Ive been medicated, but after a while I just start to feel removed from my authentic self and with my doctors guidance Ive been able to lower doses and even go years without being medicated. Sometimes, its trial and error, so its important to work with your therapist or doctor to figure out the right path for you. Chemical imbalance is real, they are the experts who will help identify a treatment plan for you. Best of luck, it can be a tough journey but I promise its worth it. Every person is different so what works for someone else might not work for you, so hang there!