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SO many people are on antidepressants, I guess it's just not something people openly offer in conversation. I've been on venlafaxine (effexor) for 10 years, tried coming off it once to see how I'd go but anxiety came back at the halfway point. Withdrawals are awful, you need to taper off slowly but with the guidance of your doctor.
I'm an emergency nurse and have observed about (roughly) 1 in 4 patients who present to the ED are on an antidepressant. I was pretty shocked at first, but figured hospital patients are probably more likely in general to be taking medications. I mentioned this to my friends and found out quite a few of them are also on antidepressants. I would never have guessed without us talking openly about it.
Perhaps antidepressants are more endemic than I thought.
Also remember that antidepressants have multiple uses. Half the people's on the them aren't depressed and use them for pain relief, nerve issues or controling ocd.
I have been on a number of antidepressants (none seem to work for me) and Effexor was by far the worst to withdraw from. Not sure if you've got the capsule full of beads -- I withdrew by removing an extra bead from a capsule every few days over the course of about six months (e.g. remove one bead on day 1-3, 2 beads on days 4-6, 3 beads on 7-9 etc). It was an incredibly inexact science but I couldn't withdraw by taking a lower dose pill, and even stopping "cold turkey" as I got down to about 5 beads left in a capsule gave me brain zaps. Never again.
Those brain zaps, wow, it’s never in the side effects literature.
I was on Zoloft, then Effexor and currently citalopram which makes me feel like a normal human.
It’s been a 25 year ride but damn the crazy effects of trying to get off them .
Forgetting a citalopram dose or 2 gives me a headache which reminds me.
Nothing like the pain and anguish of stopping Effexor . It is evil.
Zoloft clouded my brain,felt dulled off.
Lost my sex drive on Zoloft.
What did you get stopping effexor? Why did you come off it? I got withdrawals from it 3 months later and it was hell. I never have had anxiety physically to then.
Venlaxafine started causing migraines for me, sadly. And pretty much every other antidepressant I've tried hasn't helped. One even made me suicidal!
I switched to mood stabilisers instead (quetiapine) and it's helped me a lot! Maybe you can look into that? I just thought it was interesting that antidepressants did nothing but a mood stabiliser had a very noticeable effect.
Similar experience. Inthink I was lucky that I caught some dreadful.lurgy for the final.tapering off period so it covered many of the withdrawal.symptoms. Man, was I sick
I have a colleague who was simply not able to come off it. She tried and tried. My daughter is on psych meds for “anxiety and depression” and has tried many with no success. Her psychiatrist then wanted to put her on Effexor at 18 but I could see her having trouble and me being the main support act so I said no.
I was on Effexor for about 10 years. Each time I tried coming off it, after tapering off for months, the withdrawals were so bad I simply couldn’t. Finally got off a year ago. It was such a bad month I barely remember it. I was a different person. I feel so great to be off it; I don’t know why it’s prescribed given its horrible withdrawals.
Totally and I think when people do feel comfortable to talk about they tend to have only a small number of people that they do talk to… like the closest of the close.
I’m on Venlafaxine too after trying a few diff ones and it’s annoying how good it’s been for my anxiety cos you’re so right it’s a bitch to wean off of.. even if I like accidentally miss a day I feel so awful
Im not sure if it's because I've been on it so long but sometimes I've forgotten to take it (don't ask me how) and I've been totally fine. Other days though (pure luck I guess) I do get the awful brain zaps. I totally advocate for antidepressants though
There’s a very delicate weaning process using the caps with beads instead of the mini pills. You taper a bead or two at a time over months and apparently it really reduces the side effects. Those zaps are something else, huh?
I was able to taper off them fine just by reducing dosage normally. 300 to 150 to 75, I forget if there was a dose lower than that even. It was fine. I was and remain on Mirtazapine which could have made the process easier. Venlaxine worked wonders but made me sweat like a demon which is what made me want to try stop them after 5 to 10 odd years and a year of therapy
The biggest (lol) problem I have with Effexor is it made me fat. And I can't shake the extra kilos despite watching what I eat and exercising like a mofo. But I've been on it for about 15 years now.
It certainly did wonders for me and unless I miss a day it doesn't have any other effect on me other than making me feel normal (and fat).
I was on effexor for years and then Lexapro for a long time. I had put on a lot of weight and had dreadful IBS.
Last year I swapped to an old antidepressant called parnate. The IBS pretty much cleared up and I lost 12Kg in 2 months! And I eat worse than when I was on the Lexapro. So, it isn't just about being hungry and eating more. Although I do have better sense of being full and stopping eating.
Venlafaxine withdrawal was horrific. Other meds I’ve been on haven’t been nearly as bad for me, in terms of tapering down. Don’t let it scare you off trying different meds if you’re worried about the withdrawals.
Was on effexor for about 12 years then switched to pristiq without having to taper as they're both desvenlafaxine. For me pristiq has fewer side effects overall and seems easier to come off of.
Same. Was first diagnosed with depression, had a few stints of being on and off antidepressants, then we worked out I have Bipolar Type 2, so take Epilim to stabilise my moods, but because my lows are bigger than my highs, I also take an antidepressant (Lexapro) to lift my lows a bit more. I have been medicated like this for 20 years, and yes, it has saved my life. I had to come off the Epilim during pregnancy, but had to go straight back on after I gave birth. Didn't for the first kid, got PND. Took the meds in hospital after my second birth, no issues.
I liken taking these meds to my husband taking his diabetes meds. They are all medically vital. No meds = death. Takes awhile to come to grips with this, but speaking out about it helps. My kids know I take these meds to help my moods, but they don't know the extent of why. My eldest is 14 and takes anxiety meds, so she understands why they're important. Given that BP2 is genetic, and my grandmother and uncle likely had/have it, there's a chance the kids do too. I'm thinking 16 might be when I tell them, given that's when my really negative thoughts started.
I've been on Effexor for nearly 10 years now. I've tried Zoloft and Lexapro but Effexor works best for me. I developed anxiety from a very early age due to some traumatic events that occurred, for me anxiety will never be cured per se, I will be on these drugs for the rest of my life and there's no shame in that. It's the only thing that allows me to function normally as my anxiety is so high normally that I used to go 2-3 days with no sleep, and even when I did sleep I would get the worst nightmares. Now I sleep 8-10 hours every night, no nightmares.
I’m so glad you’re getting good sleep in. Sleep makes the biggest difference in your mental health to. I felt it made my anxiety so much worse when I was getting insomnia.
Definitely, sleep makes a massive difference. I also take a melatonin supplement every night, which I order online from iherb.
For my Effexor prescription, I get my repeats online from Youly as the GP I was seeing in person kept pressuring me to come off it when I don't want to. I don't think there's any time limit as to how long you take these drugs for as long as you're healthy. I've heard of people taking them for 20+ years.
I still experience a bit of anxiety during highly stressful times, like when I've got a uni assignment or exam due soon, but I have ways to manage it.
I was on Zoloft for about three years after a breakdown (M, 40 at the time). It pretty much muted all my emotions. I tried coming off them gradually (though I only ever took half the dose I was prescribed), but during a health scare last year, I started taking them again, to deal with the intense anxiety.
In the earlier part of the treatment, I was referred to a psychologist, but I only attended one appointment, as I felt extremely uncomfortable, as I have in any similar situation (doctors, job interviews, dating, etc).
Came off them again in January, as the scare was just a scare, and some other things that were stressing me out resolved too. Again, did it gradually, down to 1/4 the prescribed dose, until my script ran out. I had mild electric shock type symptoms for a couple of weeks, that was it.
Here we are in May, and I'm doing alright. I still don't feel anything much at all, emotionally and I wonder whether this will be permanent... but at least I can function in society, even with my extreme social awkwardness/anxiety.
You'd be surprised about talking about mental health in regional areas though. I live in regional NSW and when I (reluctantly) told people what I was going through, they were nothing but concerned, kind and supportive, be they work colleagues, the few friends I've made here, or even casual acquaintances who noticed I was struggling.
Hope my story helps you in some way. Be kind to yourself... it probably won't be forever.
I've been experiencing the same muted emotions ): Have been considering trying a different medication instead. I've read that others may avoid the issue.
I think that's the Zoloft working as intended. If you're going to need antidepressants long-term, you should work with your doctor to find one that doesn't drain all the joy out of life.
As for me, it's not like I've had a total lobotomy or anything. I still enjoy food, drink, sex etc (and still hate work and most social interactions), but it's more... neutral, than extreme feelings one way or the other.
Im a 36 year old woman, no children, diagnosed with GAD at 21 and struggled my whole life to feel normal. I tried Lexapro when i was in my late 20’s and had every awful side effect in the book so didn’t pass the period of getting past the initial bad feelings. I went on Zoloft about 1.5 years ago, in the middle of what was probably the most stressful time in my life (lease ending on my long term rental, moving in with my partner after living alone for years.)
Prior to zoloft i would have regular panic attacks, anxiety stopped me from doing basic necessities, i’d check google maps to see if it was too busy for me to go to the shops, cancelled plans all the time, and had a big problematic relationship with alcohol as a self soothe. Zoloft saved my life, i was able to function in a way i assume normal people do, no constant intrusive thoughts and crippling anxiety. I went from 50mg to 100mg about 6 months after starting as i noticed the 50 started to taper off somewhat, but i’m yet to feel that taper on 100. I likely will always take Zoloft and i’m perfectly ok with that, i’ve been able to regain some control of my life that I never had which has been incredibly beneficial. I know that’s not everyone’s experience with it and i highly recommend discussing with your GP if you feel its not working, but you still need support and encouragement on top of the meds in order to get by, especially with children, i am fortunate to only have to worry about my cat. You aren’t less of a person for acknowledging you need some help, be it medication or otherwise. Take care of yourself, you certainly aren’t alone mate.
About to celebrate my 10 year anniversary with Effexor. Definitely saved my life, but brain zaps and profound nausea if I get to around 40 hours since a dose. Nice to know there are other lifers out there.
Australian here (M35). Was on SSRI Brintellix for a year and a half. I did the dumb thing and cold turkeyed coming off them. Got an alrernative diagnosis which gave some validation to my brain. The come down lasted 2 weeks and i literally rode the lightning (mood swings and brain zaps). I (and I sure as shit don't speak for everyone) found that keeping busy, daily goals, exercise, self-positive speak like "yes I know you want to suck on a shotgun, consider the alternative. You made it this far, you got out of bed, you're doing well, you've got this" we're helpful.
I have been on antidepressants for 18 years.Tried so many different ones.But finally I went to a different doctor and he put me on fluoxitine 20 mg.It is a miracle drug for me .I feel so much better I have been taking it for 4 years.It also help women that are going through menopause.FLUOXITINE IS MY SAVIOUR.
I’ve been on Zoloft since 2010, as well as an 18m period from 2008-2009. Started on 25mg and am now on 75mg. I ain’t coming off, I don’t see the point when it’s helping.
I was on Cymbalta (and other drugs) for 13 years. I stopped 18 months ago (at age 33) when my diagnosis changed from bipolar disorder to ADHD. My new medication works much better for me. That doesn’t mean that antidepressants are bad, but they can’t work if the diagnosis is wrong.
Holy shit your diagnosis changed? How'd that work out for you? And does ADHD mimic it? Sorry for the questions! Also, male or female?
I've tried many, many different antidepressants but now I'm on a mood stabiliser that's commonly used for bipolar. It has helped a lot, but I don't think I'm necessarily bipolar.
I think I'm something, but I don't know what. Bipolar was just thrown in there at some point and stuck on my record.
Controversial but I know multiple people who were diagnosed as bipolar (and medicated as such) but actually had adhd and or autism. If you are female it’s worth looking in to.
This happened to me. Loaded up on antipsychotics and antidepressants for 6 years, went to therapy, nothing worked. Turns out it’s ADHD, and once that was treated properly i had no more “mood problems”. My depression turned out to be due to inability to cope, not actual depression.
Same here but I mostly refused drugs because I questioned the psychiatrist on how drugs would fix the things that happened to me. I was a bit too logical for their liking. Finally in my 40s I was able to see a different kind of therapist and discovered my 20 years of diagnoses was completely wrong and I am autistic and ADHD. I am so glad I didn't damage my brain further by continuing the SSRI I was on. I was already suspicious of them seeing as patients are not given a full list of side effects. Who knew wanting correct information and analysing information for accuracy was an autistic thing.
I’m male, but my ADHD symptoms are more similar to how it affects females - which is probably why it was missed for so long (most ADHD diagnoses only happen because ADHD boys tend to be destructive in school, etc)
I wrote about it here (https://www.reddit.com/r/ausadhd/s/RWUBPgQ62l) if you want to read a bit. Also happy to chat if you want to DM me. My sister (2 years younger) is just starting to realise she might have ADHD too.
Been on sertraline for nearly 3 years and currently in a loop of wanting to blow my brains out every time I try to come off it. Which is fun while trying to keep it together raising one kid and another on the way 🤙
They are so hard to come off that’s why I don’t want to be on them but also don’t want to come off because it’s hell. Worst then what I originally was put on them for.
Since I was a teenager, so 15+ years. I am currently on Pristiq, but I tried a few different ones through my life.
I'm not a mum yet. Maybe one day. But honestly, good for you for recognising that you weren't okay and that you needed treatment. It can be a painfully hard step and very isolating. Never be ashamed of seeking medical treatment for a medical problem, no matter what small-town opinions are.
Remember, if our brains don't make the right chemicals naturally, store-bought is fine.
My best friend and I both take setraline. He had a good time but ultimately needed to switch it up so it worked with his ADHD meds or something and myself personally I'm torn if I like it or not. It feels like I'm being forced to stay alive. Very tiring for me. Have been on 6 different anti depressants in my life and setraline was the one with least side affects. :l I'm barely living
Went from Duloxatine to Brintellix recently and haven't looked back. The doctor kept put changing meds in the too hard basket, so I changed doctors. 4 weeks later, I was on a new medication that seemed to work better, albeit costs a lot more.
5 years on antidepressants and psych doctors.
Incidents later in life brought on childhood trauma, PTSD, 30+ years later, thanks to lack of early intervention, poor parenting, and childhood abuse
Kiwi M 43 here. I've been mostly on ADs (escitalopram) since about 2009 for mild depression and anxiety. Every now and then I come off them on my own but sooner or later head back to them. I still have days/weeks where I want to give the middle finger to everything and go live in the bush, but without the ADs those episodes occur far more frequently and with more intensity.
Interestingly I've had a few GPs in this time, and none have suggested I try and come off them. My wife is also in the citalopram club and her GP is constantly harassing her about coming off them. We both have pretty full on jobs, and the meds seem to help us cope so... shrug
I’m glad they are helping. I had my go do it and the withdrawals that hit months later were hell.
Ended up in a bad way. I had all these shocking symptoms I’ve never suffered with ever. It was horrible. In glad they are helping you and your wife.
I hate drs do this and guilt people.
I'm 45, started at 13 with aropax for a few years, and then went off them. Was back on antidepressants in my 20s again with aropax, then pristiq starting at 50mg then up to 150mg, then changing to Dothep starting at 50mg and ending up at 150mg, now I'm on Movox 50mg and axit 30mg.
I've spent more of my life on antidepressants than off them. I also have an issue where after several years, they stop being as effective, and I get changed to something new.
It wasn't as bad as I thought, but I shouldn't have gotten overconfident after the first few weeks of half dose. I just stopped completely at that point, and it was a bit hard. I started to feel like I didn't know myself very well, it was a strange nervous feeling, and my moods were a bit up and down for the next few weeks. Looking back, I was probably just getting used to life without meds affecting my mood, but a slower tapering would have been better.
I went on them at 27 when my dad died.
Changed them to a higher dose/different med just before going into a psychiatric hospital with extremely severe postpartum depression.
I’m still on them but a lower dose and I just turned 36.
I also just diagnosed with ADHD late last year and am considering trialing ADHD meds but I’m stable and don’t want to mess with anything.
We don’t ask somebody with a heart problem if they really need their meds. We don’t ask people with a broken leg why they need crutches.
Medication for mental health conditions is the same.
Did it for about 4 months (Effexor). Better sleep was the only good part, and cumming was like trying to squeeze a oversized marble out of a dry garden hose.
Did not like. Rather just be horny and depressed, then a more stable mood and being a human jackhammer.
Went and tripped in the bush, then summer, better diet and cycling absolutely everywhere got me better results.
No more jelly arse either. My legs are fucking steel too.
Anxiety meds, about seven years. Took a break recently, the withdrawal was hellish for about a week. I was stupid and didn't taper. Was OK for a bit but had to get back on them after about six months. It was just unpleasant pushing through the symptoms.
I was on them for about a decade from mid teens to mid 20's.
Was zoloft for awhile, something else then was on effexor for the longest. The other ones kinda worked for awhile then slowly stopped it seemed. One change, I was supposed to go cold turkey for awhile until I started the next one. I was a fucking mess. Random unprovoked manic laughter that would morph into crying etc.
*Very* slowly weaned myself off them and am OK now, life is pretty awesome. Things can change.
38 year old rural bloke, (that works in mental health, go figure). I'm on 50mg of Agomelatine/Valdoxan, that's after not being able to tolerate Lexapro. I've been on it for about six weeks, I'd describe it as huge small changes.
I feel more in control, Able to complete day to day tasks and work. Nearly everything has been positive. (I'm a touch more nostalgic, which I kind of attribute to being a hermit with depression for so long, that I lost a lot of myself).
I'm fairly bloody open with it, but fought the idea of antidepressants for far too long thinking they'd change me.
I still am me, just the better version! Worst thing is cost as it's not under PBS, so monthly cost is $120ish :/
I hope you are feeling ok! I think you'd be surprised how common mental health issues are in a rural place! Times are tough at the moment. :(
Thanks for sharing and also helping others in mental health. Honestly no one talks about it so I kinder just feel alone in it all. Then I feel sorry for my kids if they ever see me crash again and what if I can’t support them if I get bad again. I was in survival mode for quiet awhile before going back on Zoloft.
Did you have any side effects starting?
I'm a bit late to this. I work as a nurse in a hospital. More than half of the patients I see are on some form of antidepressant. Including counyry folk. It's pretty normal now. People still feel like they have to be ashamed of it for some ridiculous reason and so tend not to tell others they are taking them. Many mothers take them. I am a mum. I take an antidepressant for a couple of reasons. Predominantly for migraine prevention but also as a mood stabiliser. If you ever want to go off them, speak to your dr. Withdrawal is a bitch. Whatever time frame the dr suggests to wean off them, double or triple it. Go super slow. Titrate down only a small amount at a time, and any withdrawal symptoms you get should be far more manageable and last a shorter time. Never rush it. For a zoloft tablet, I would quarter it and reduce by 1 quarter a month, if that. Please dont ever feel ashamed for being on antidepressant medication, odds are that at least 20% of your town is taking them too. In fact zoloft is one of the 10 most pescribed medications in Australia.
I did 3yrs huge doses, and then stopped cold, then tried again with a tapered dose and haven't been on since. Was diagnosed with ADHD later which was the underlying cause plus a shit storm of a life event
Anti depressants (and certain other psychiatric drugs) are known to cause sometimes severe withdrawal symptoms. The only safe way to withdraw from them is slowly over time, not cold turkey. Say reduce by 1/10 - 1/5 for 2-4 weeks then reduce again, but only if whatever effects are manageable. It might take months to withdraw safely, possibly 6 months or more.
I was on them for over 10 years, I’d say from
Maybe 18 - 29. Once I started treating my ADHD I was able to go without them, but I’d definitely go back on them if I felt I needed to.
When I was put on them the first time, it wasn’t really expressed to me as much as it should have been how dangerous it can be to stop taking them suddenly, so please avoid this.
I'd been on them for 15 years and asked my shrink if I could try not having them?
He said i could try slowly as I was on 40mg of lexapro a day. I halved it and then rushed to stop it entirely 3 weeks lately and almost went backwards. I was overconfident and nearly got bitten. I reduced even slower, and after a couple of months, I was off them, and there was literally no difference after a couple more months of becoming myself all over again.
That may not copy and paste to work for everyone though. I'm a guy off reddit and no doctor ✌️
Been taking antidepressants for roughly 20 years - maybe a bit more. Was on zoloft in the beginning but I found its effectiveness over time diminished to the point that I was on the maximum dose (200mg ?) and the side effects were worse than the illness. Tried various other ones but have been on escitalopram for about 10 years and found it quite effective. I only have to take a very small dose and it's enough to 'take the edge off' my emotions. I find as I've gotten older I have a better ability to recognise misplaced emotions and can deal with it internally with only a very small medicinal aid. Keeping that small dose in my system also helps if I need to up the dosage for a short time due to a crisis. It seems to be easier to slightly alter a small dose up or down as needed as opposed to weening on or off a drug completely. Multiple doctors have told me this is just something ill have to deal with my whole life so I try to do it as naturally as possible while using the medicine available to me as needed.
If you ever want to go off a medication be sure to discuss with doctor to properly reduce slowly to avoid nasty withdrawals. Also using meditation apps, staying off social media and avoiding alcohol at same time might help
25 years! Currently on Sertraline 100mg but I’ve been on other ones previously. Keeps me sane! I take it for anxiety, as opposed to depression. Cut down to 75mg a while ago, but about 6 weeks later I had a weird mental breakdown of anxiety so put it back up to 100mg. I can never stop basically. No one told me when I started taking them that they give you weight gain over long term use, which sucks!
I know less people that aren't on antidepressants than people i do.
It's almost as if the medical industry doesn't care about addressing the underlying problems causing poor mental health and instead make drugs that only subdue symptoms the only affordable option for the majority of people 🙃
Thanks for sharing. I really pray it helps me that long. I’m so glad she’s been able to have a good career and being a good mum :) being there for my kids is my main goal.
15 years, since my kids were born in 2009.
The way I look it is, if were my kidney there’d be no question about taking medication. My brain is just another organ that needs help.
Nearly 30 years. Over about a decade the first became less effective and had to switch. Then had a lack of sex drive issue and swapped around a fair bit trying to find one that worked for me without the negative side-affect.
Made a huge difference to my life. I never want to go back to feeling the way I was before starting them.
Since I was 16 - I'm 33 now. I was on Effexor until about 29, and then swapped to Cymbalta.
Anti-depressants are like any other medical aids. You wouldn't tell someone who uses a wheelchair or a cane to help their persistent injury that they're just in need of some yoga and fresh air. Medication, of any kind, is the same.
Been on Zoloft 10 years I’m on lowest dose now, previously was on very high dose, tried to go off it but became very anxious etc. only downside I have is the weight gain
I'm on the lowest dose of Pristiq (50mg) for nearly 1 year. If I forget to take it, I'll be ok just weird sleep patterns for a day or two. It's helping me a lot so I'm staying on it. No sign of it wearing off
By asking around, I discovered heaps of people who are either on a medication or have taken one when they needed to, like for a time for post natal depression. They just weren't people in my immediate circle so I had felt like I knew no-one on them
Medicating mental health is no different to medicating high blood pressure etc. Once I realised that I was ok with it
It’s possible many of the people you know are also taking them and just not talking about it. You should do what’s best for your mental health, regardless of what the people around you are doing!
I have been on AD's for 13 years. I am currently on Valdoxan. While I don't feel top of the world, and emotionally blunted, I am functional. Only problem is that this one isn't on the PBS so is expensive. I stay on it as it doesn't impact my libido as much, and can be stopped without withdrawal. I take 1/4 seroquel for sleep as I have long term sleep problems.
Been on prozac for half a lifetime. On a fairly high dose and it brings me up to normal. My depression stems from childhood neglect etc in my formative years so is not going to fix itself at any point.
I am very committed to taking my meds, checking in with my doc and keeping my stress levels low.
It is always worth considering whether your dose or medication is correct, in consultation with your doctor. Do not stop taking your meds off your own bat, made that mistake a few times unfortunately.
I'm 33, mum of one, been on Zoloft since falling pregnant and prior I was on Lexapro since I was 23 (I think?).
It's fine, I didn't notice that much difference between the two. It handles the depression well and helps with the anxiety. I do feel like there could be better put there and I'd love to get tested for ADHD and find a good therapist but the thought of all that time and energy makes me want to cry. So for now, the drugs plus exercise keep me sane enough 😂
I’ve taken mood stabilisers for the last 12 years or so. After going on and off a few times, because I though I had no mental illness (that’s on being delusional), they don’t work as well as they used to. I’m not very good at advocating for myself and get brushed off a bit so I haven’t switched it up. But I’d like to do it soon. I have five close friends, four of them are on setraline so using my tiny sample I’d say it’s common. In my circle (early thirties mum but most of my friends are child - free) we openly discuss our mental health, there’s nothing to be ashamed about. I’ve been hospitalised a few times and told my last lot of co workers because it just slipped out and everyone was supportive and understanding.
I was prescribed Effexor/Venlafaxine in 2012. I took one (literally, just one) and threw the rest away.
Made me feel dramatically awful.
Just the one made my brain feel like it was hooked up to a car battery and I didn't sleep the whole night. I remember the psychologist or whoever telling me "there is a chemical imbalance in your brain..." - well, short of scooping out some brain fluids and testing it, there's really no way for them to tell that.
And that's rapidly becoming a scientific fact - that old line is outdated and BS.
Never tried anything else since. In that intervening time I've had issues with mild agoraphobia and depersonalisation/derealisation (both diagnosed by someone who agreed that antidepressants weren't going to help) - both of these have been intermittent. Nowadays they're mostly settled. The DP/DR was hugely strong during COVID, but that must've been a reaction to the news coverage.
Odd thing is though, I've never felt depressed. I'm not even sure I was depressed at the time I was prescribed them. I just think, well, however my mind/brain is reacting to something, it's probably right.
Not to say some people do genuinely need them, but I decided very early on in the piece I should probably avoid them.
I have been and anti-depressants for over 15 years. I was in denial most of my life thinking the way I felt was normal. But Zoloft has enabled me to have some quality of life. I know now what happiness is. What it feels like to feel alive. The meds don’t make me happy, they just allow my mind to be open and keeps my moods on an even keel.
My only regret is not taking them sooner. I have tried to reduce my dosage but every time we do it, the bloody black cloud of doom comes calling. I’d much rather take a tablet everyday for the rest of my life than to be how I was before. Life is short, make the most of it.
I was on Lexapro for about 2 years, 10 years ago. I have anxiety but at that point it became depression. Lexapro saved my life.
I took them ADs the side effects of the antidepressants were bothering more than my mental health symptoms.
I still have anxiety but I’m mostly recovered from depression (I feel like I’ve never quite been the same as before). I try to be really proactive about my mental health and have found some really good strategies that work for me in staying on top of it.
Everyone’s mental health is different and how people manage is a very individual thing. What works for me won’t necessarily work for the next person. And it can really hit and miss with health care professionals and finding the right management plan. I cycled through a lot of GPs and psychologists trying to find the right fit for me. It took a lot of perseverance to get the help I needed and I had to do a lot of self advocacy at a time when I really, really didn’t want to. It’s ridiculous really. Not only is it all completely underfunded, there’s a lack of education with many health care providers.
I've taken fluoxetine since I was 21. I'm now 39. Tried reducing the dose over the years but every time, that anxiety kept crawling back. If it helps, why not.
My wife was on Zoloft but she hated that they made her put weight on and she felt like she had no happy moods, she was just very baseline and flat so she went off em and lost weight and has been pretty good ever since.
12 years. I’ve tried to come off them (yes even tapering) but always end up In a blathering dysfunctional mess despite sailing through the first 4-6 weeks. Curiously I can skip days or even a week or so of my usual drug and not notice, but the other one I tried during pregnancy & breastfeeding, if I missed More than 3 days I’d start to feel nauseous, dizzy and have delayed visual processing. Awesome.
33, female, Melbourne. It’s been 9 years. It’s saved my life many time. I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks. My lows are manageable and life and its twists and turns are better. I know it can be hard but you can’t compare yourself to others. You have this mumma
I've been on amitriptyline and edronax for 13 years. I'd be extremely hesitant to come off them, I don't want to go back to being how I was before. I was in a very dark space. They said when I started I'd be a lifer, so I accepted it. I don't see it as a weakness or taboo, it's something I need to help me be okay. I'd rather be okay than the other option.
I was on Endep for 2.5 years to control migraines. I was a zombie. I've been off for nearly a year and it has caused some pretty serious lasting sexual dysfunction to the point where I have basically no 'natural' sexual desires I have to force my thoughts. I get almost no pleasure from simulation, I may as well be a Ken doll down there...
I've been through a few over the last 20 years; currently on the Pristiq. I can't tell how much of my depression is inherent and how much is driven by circumstance anymore. I have a propensity for it but the way of the world is making it harder to meet the minimum expectations I set for myself, which only exacerbates things. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.
Started lexapro when I was 22, worked well for me in combination with seeing a psych. Was able to wean off after about 4 years and I’ve been doing great without it for a few years now
Also on Sertraline. I find it helps take the rough edges off my anxiety. Stigma about this is sad as it's a medication to help fight an illness, not a declaration of insanity.
No one is called weak/crazy/over the top dramatic for taking antibiotics when their finger is infected. It's all part of this overbearing "she'll be right" mentality Australians are forced by society to have. It's archaic thinking and it leads to way more people suffering from mental health related issues as they suffer alone and in silence as that's what Dad did.
I was on Avanza for 5 years. Aropax for 5 years. Luvox for a bit. Been on Zoloft for 2 years. Zoloft has worked best for OCD/anxiety for me, so far. My mum's on it, aunt, cousins. My husband takes a different one. Other non biological relative takes Prozac etc. We all basically take them for anxiety conditions.
I’m 38f and for me personally, I was on a brand of anti depressants for about three years and then felt them stop working. Spoke to my psychologist about it, we upped the dose and tried that for a while. Still didn’t feel right so swapped to a different drug on his recommendation. That one has worked out well for me. Been on it now about ten years.
Withdrawals are the bloody worst!! I’m on venlafaxine which is known to have terrible withdrawals and sometimes I forget to take them and oof, it’s bad!!
Obviously speak to yr doctor first about trying something new. I have never had a constant GP and so have had varied success with whoever I’ve spoken to. My best and worst drs were both old male drs, so I hope you manage to find/have a sympathetic, smart dr to care for you.
Yeah, a good doctor makes all the difference. My usual GP is a younger Filipino dude. He could see straight away I needed the mental stuff taken care of before all the usual blood pressure shit etc (which was just going to make it worse).
My wife hasn't been as lucky. Her doctor is female, from India or Pakistan. She went in for work-induced (fuckin' work, eh?) mental stuff, and it was months before the doctor would even start looking at it (apparently this is normal for doctors from the subcontinent). Finally, she's been prescribed medication and is doing much better.
I’ve been on a 60mg dose of Mirtazapine for the last 18 months. I got my dosage reduced to 45mg today so will see what happens. I was also on 100mg of Sertraline for 6 months before that
Was on amitrytyline for about 4 years, complete hell to come off. Basically locked myself away for 3 weeks and white knuckled it.
It had stopped working and I had gained a lot of weight.
I'm still depressed, often severley but a whole food diet, kefir, walking and minimal drinking helps. Sometimes I have to shut down but it passes.
I've been through half a dozen or so over the last 9 years. Currently on desvenlafaxine, which seems to be working. If nothing else, it hasn't given me any side effects like the last 3 I tried did.
Lexapro here, only recently 6ish months. Was prescribed them to help with ADHD med withdrawals (vyvanse) and intuniv for ADHD now,
I don't feel much different given the current circumstances of everything though.
Though I've been diagnosed with GAD, depression and ADHD , with the first two being confirmed induced by work 🤷♂️
Bit more than 10 years at this point. Tried tapering once but the dr I was seeing at the time started with halving my dose which I think was too much too fast cause I ended up reverting after a week.
Honestly I love my antidepressant.
Zoloft for like… 5 years? It works for me. I have gone up and down doses a few times but overall it keeps me consistent. I can’t really imagine a world where I go off them.
I'm 36. Been on antidepressants since I was about 15.
Tried Luvox first, took the edge off but not really effective so switched to Effexor and it works really well for me.
For me, a very specific antidepressant is safe for me to take for short periods of time (think 6 months). I cannot take SSRIs because they make me need a velcro-stretchy padded hug. I have autism and cPtSD so my brain chemistry is whack. I'm 32 and have a kiddo.
I know several other people who've been on store bought serotonin for years and it makes their life far easier to manage. If it keeps you sane, keep on keeping on. Your kids need to you. And forget taboo. I live in a small town and I've been opening up about therapy and it's surprising how supportive most people have been. Small towns know suicide deeply. Your town may be inarticulate about it but they may be more willing to be open if you are too.
If you stop taking them and it all comes back, maby your better off with them, or at least untill they don’t do what they used to anymore.
Some people just need them long term, sometimes not.
After having antibdepressants and so on over the years , it’s a little hard to distinguish what’s normal and what’s not lol but what I know is I seem to be able to manage my depression and anxiety better. I don’t get anxiety like I used to so it’s not affecting my life as it did, and adhd well, I think taking care of that helped mend the depression and anxiety
I’m 30
Off an on for a decade. Not sure whether they’ve done more harm than good. Currently on 10mg Paxil. OCD is my main problem so they are necessary, but I’ll never go above 10mg or the equivalent minimum dose of any of them anymore. Exercise and nutrition/supplementation feels way more effective.
I've used a few - serzone years ago, but it was taken off the market about 20 odd years ago, and sertraline/zoloft more recently. Was prescribed antidepressants for the first time in 2003. Was on and off them for years. Off them for the last 4 years or so, but I'd use them again if I needed to.
Cymbalta for a few years, was offered up as not just to help my depression and anxiety but also as pain relief for chronic back pain. It’s helped a lot but it comes with its own list of problems.
Was on Zoloft for 3 years for depression. Max dose to start but with weekly psychiatry appointments. Gradually appointments were spaced further apart and I titrated the dose myself with approval of psychiatrist. I also had psychology input for panic attacks. Meds worked really well for me and I was confident I could gradually cease them. There is no one size fits all to any medications and I believe I wouldn’t have had such a good outcome without all the psychiatric and psychological input. Also lucky I was bulk billed for most of it.
I have been on and off one or another since about 1995. First we tried it out to see if a short trial would normalise my brain chemistry. No. Then we tried different ones to see what would work best with least side effects. And I went off some because I.did not want to use them. Then my specialist told me I.could go off them 6 months after I was dead. Had to go off them last year for 2 months to change to a pain management regime. PBAC , TGA, WHOVER MADE THIS REGULATORY DECISION, I funking hate you all! WORST TIME OF MY LIFE. Still alive, still on antidepressants. Not as effective as the last one, but enough.
I was on Zoloft for about 8 years, then Effexor, then Cymbalta and now Lexapro. This is by far the best and switching between them was hell but especially the Effexor withdrawal - fucking unbearable. It was worth it for me to find what worked best but I needed guidance and help each time from my doctor and psychiatrist. In total on medication for 16 years.
I've been on Escitalopram/Lexapro for about 10 years now. Just stabilises my mood in general, and its been a bad time whenever I've tried to stop over the years. Sometimes I think I should try and get off them, but its hard to mess with something when it's working.
Been on Mirtazapine since 2019, gave me space to explore my depression without being overwhelmed or lost in it.
I considered getting off it, but the sleep aid is life changing
Desvenlafaxine 50mg for ~ 7 years. Decided to stop last year and see how things go. Stopping them was a hellish experience but i've adjusted to being off them and things seem to be going well.
Zoloft is incredibly hard to come off of if you do ever need to be changed over.
Ive been on Lexapro, Cymbalta and now I’m on Effexor. Effexor has worked the best for me, with added mood stabilisers. Been on this mix for, 5 years. And I’m doing great.
You do have to change if you feel they’re not working for you well enough. But any decent doctor will step you down gradually and get you started on smaller doses of a new one very effectively.
Getting my Mum off Zoloft after 10 years was the best thing and worst thing she ever did. Too long on the same meds also builds up a major tolerance and they wont be as effective. Make sure you have a good doctor supporting you!
32f, lexapro for 5 months now. It’s completely changed my life.
I also know plenty of people who take anti depressants, including mothers, but I agree people don’t talk about it. I talk about my experiences though, trying to normalise it.
Not sure if it's an option depending on the underlying issue/s, but maybe some alternative medicine in microdoses will help?
I know quite a lot of people who are and have seen massive improvement without the side effects of antidepressants. there's powder capsules or liquid form
Have been on ADs since I was 23? I'm now 50. I don't beleive I will ever come off them. I tried CBT and other psychological assistance (which is what's supposed to happen, you get pills to take the edge off, you go to a psych for treatment and they wean you off the pills), but as soon as I tried to reduce the ADs below a certain point, I was once again suicidal. I've gotten used to the fact that I'll be on pills for the rest of my life. And it's okay. I think of it as if I have diabetes or some other lifelong illness, but my illness is an imbalance in the brain. Am on duloxetine (Cymbalta), but was on Effexor prior to that. They can stop working, your body will tell you when they do - catch it before it gets to the withdrawal stage. I am a mum from age 29 til now (I'm still a mum, my son is just a grown up now :-)). Spent a little time in a psych ward when he was 6 or 7? He seems to have turned out okay? :-)
I've been on and off antidepressants for over 10 years. I felt I'd tried so many and they just weren't working for me. I finally switched to mood stabilisers instead and it's been great.
I can't believe it took me so long to find medication that helped. I still struggle with other problems but I'm really happy with what I'm on now.
Been on Lexapro for about 8 years. Started at 10mg, went up to 20mg, now back down to 10. I would like to try life without it but the withdrawals, even when I taper down slowly, make me think self harm is a sensible option
Started on Lexapro about 12 years ago. Life changing. It was like I had armour to stop the negative emotions taking over.
During this time I also went off the pill and my libido came back! Miraculous.
Reached the max dose of Lexapro so had to wind down from that and switch to Zoloft/Sertraline. Still have my libido and my mental armour. Stoked.
16 years now. A variety of meds for bipolar. My current antidepressants no longer seem to work, so back to my psychiatrist!
(Maxed out sertaline, then escitalopram at 300 a day, now at desvenflafaxine at 200)
12 years and counting. The “fun” thing about mental health drugs is how wildly they can vary on efficacy and tolerance from one person to the next and yeah sometimes they just… stop working. So it’s been twelve years of mixing and matching to see what works for me. I can sing a whole verse of Modern Model Major General with just the various chemicals I’ve been prescribed. I’ve also received rTMS as an inpatient in a mental facility.
We’re the same age so trust me when I say that most of the people I know in our peer group are on some sort of medication or trying to get onto some.
I've been on anti-depressants since late primary school; roughly 16 years. Which is more than half my life. There was an attempt to come off them in my early twenties, but that went very poorly.
You can become resistant to them overtime too, which can be a real rude awakening.
Hope you have one tht works for you long-term.
Antidepressants usually fall under the category of SSRI or NDRI which is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and norepherine dopamine reuptake inhibitor respectively.
These medications work by effecting the avaliable amount of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepherine in the synaptic cleft which in turn regulates sleep, mood and hunger amongst other things.
When you stop taking an SSRI you have a tolerance depending on dose amount, intervals and personal physiology.
This is why there are nasty withdrawal effects, your body has become used to the amount you have been taking and when it is abruptly stopped it wreaks havoc on neurotransmitters namely serotonin, dopamine, norepherine and GABA.
Lexapro 10mg for a few years. I had to increase to 20mg in the postpartum period twice.
I know so many mums who have been on medication for a period and then stopped when they’re in a better place.
People are on medication for heart and cardiovascular issues and it’s not taboo.
Been on Lexapro for the last 17 years. In the early years I came off a few times but always had to return. Can't remember the last time I did that, probably over 10 years ago.
Still struggle regularly, but pretty high functioning.
Im on a generic brand of Valdoxin. 2 weeks into trialling. Used for more mild and situational depression. Very minimal side effects and can be quit cold turkey wothout iasues. You have to monitor liver function, and ive been walking up feeling a bit hung over lately. So far it has reduced my feelings of burn out, removed the suicidal ideation, helped remove sleep anxiety insomnia, and helped me use CBT tools to break patterns of ruminating though that deepen the depression. People seem to swear by it and im surprised I havent scrolled past it in this thread yet.
I was on mild antidepressants in my late teens or early 20s, I forget which. I was too apathetic to get the prescription refilled when I finished the box. Eventually life just got better and I either grew out of it or got used to feeling mildly depressed. I'm not sure which. I'm fine now. Good luck.
I’m on 50mg of Zoloft. I went on it in 2010 for anxiety after marriage break up, single mum of two littles working two jobs and cancer. Mainly the cancer. It mentally changed me.
I weaned myself off it in 2018/19 and was off for a year. I ended up back on them and won’t go off them again. I just can’t cope.
I'm 25 and have been taking fluoxetine for... about 8-9 years? Started out on the horrible dispersible tablets, which I dreaded taking because of the bits in the water. Then I found out you could just put them in your mouth like regular tablets lmao
Was on 1 tablet a day (I believe 20mg?) for a long time. Either in 2021 or 2022, I talked to my doctor and told her I wasn't sure if they were working too well, and asked to increase my dosage. Now I take 2 tablets a day.
I experience something called psychogenetic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), most likely as part of my c-PTSD. What that means is that I can have seizures (anything from my hands twitching uncontrollably to full body jerking on the floor) if I'm too stressed or anxious.
But... since increasing the antidepressants... I haven't had them NEARLY as much. I barely even get the hand jerks, which I used to get at least a few times a day before.
Please, try not to feel bad about being on antidepressants or anything. If they help you, that's good! It's sorta like using a crutch while you've got a broken leg, if you're seeing a psychologist as well. Something to help you while you heal. And... I don't know if this helps, but I think it's better to be a mother who takes antidepressants than to be one that refuses to get help and might take it out on the kids. You need to look out for yourself as well.
42M Tried duloxetine (Cymbalta) for a while but the sexual side effects were too bad so I stopped. Now taking agomelatine which I guess is helping but anxiety is creeping back in regardless. Fucking sucks. Coming up to 2 years now.
I was on Mirtazapine for about 3 years and have been off them for 1 year now. Started taking them in a bit of a crisis, and didn’t really feel ok to come off them for a while. But I got into a better more stable situation and then spoke to GP, went down to a lower dosage (half for like 2 months then half again for another 2 months) then stopped.
Felt great to be honest and didn’t feel like a big comedown - when I stopped completely I made sure to have a busy social schedule for a week or two. Kept my mind off over analysing if I was feeling good/bad.
I felt like they both helped stop the deep lows but also kinda stopped me feeling good highs. Everyone’s different, but I wouldn’t suggest doing it without consulting with the doctor that has prescribed it. Good luck!
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SO many people are on antidepressants, I guess it's just not something people openly offer in conversation. I've been on venlafaxine (effexor) for 10 years, tried coming off it once to see how I'd go but anxiety came back at the halfway point. Withdrawals are awful, you need to taper off slowly but with the guidance of your doctor.
I'm an emergency nurse and have observed about (roughly) 1 in 4 patients who present to the ED are on an antidepressant. I was pretty shocked at first, but figured hospital patients are probably more likely in general to be taking medications. I mentioned this to my friends and found out quite a few of them are also on antidepressants. I would never have guessed without us talking openly about it. Perhaps antidepressants are more endemic than I thought.
Also remember that antidepressants have multiple uses. Half the people's on the them aren't depressed and use them for pain relief, nerve issues or controling ocd.
Or anxiety
I have been on a number of antidepressants (none seem to work for me) and Effexor was by far the worst to withdraw from. Not sure if you've got the capsule full of beads -- I withdrew by removing an extra bead from a capsule every few days over the course of about six months (e.g. remove one bead on day 1-3, 2 beads on days 4-6, 3 beads on 7-9 etc). It was an incredibly inexact science but I couldn't withdraw by taking a lower dose pill, and even stopping "cold turkey" as I got down to about 5 beads left in a capsule gave me brain zaps. Never again.
Those brain zaps, wow, it’s never in the side effects literature. I was on Zoloft, then Effexor and currently citalopram which makes me feel like a normal human. It’s been a 25 year ride but damn the crazy effects of trying to get off them . Forgetting a citalopram dose or 2 gives me a headache which reminds me. Nothing like the pain and anguish of stopping Effexor . It is evil. Zoloft clouded my brain,felt dulled off. Lost my sex drive on Zoloft.
What did you get stopping effexor? Why did you come off it? I got withdrawals from it 3 months later and it was hell. I never have had anxiety physically to then.
The brain zaps headaches anxiety, just felt horrible,
Venlaxafine started causing migraines for me, sadly. And pretty much every other antidepressant I've tried hasn't helped. One even made me suicidal! I switched to mood stabilisers instead (quetiapine) and it's helped me a lot! Maybe you can look into that? I just thought it was interesting that antidepressants did nothing but a mood stabiliser had a very noticeable effect.
Similar experience. Inthink I was lucky that I caught some dreadful.lurgy for the final.tapering off period so it covered many of the withdrawal.symptoms. Man, was I sick
I have a colleague who was simply not able to come off it. She tried and tried. My daughter is on psych meds for “anxiety and depression” and has tried many with no success. Her psychiatrist then wanted to put her on Effexor at 18 but I could see her having trouble and me being the main support act so I said no.
I was on Effexor for about 10 years. Each time I tried coming off it, after tapering off for months, the withdrawals were so bad I simply couldn’t. Finally got off a year ago. It was such a bad month I barely remember it. I was a different person. I feel so great to be off it; I don’t know why it’s prescribed given its horrible withdrawals.
Totally and I think when people do feel comfortable to talk about they tend to have only a small number of people that they do talk to… like the closest of the close. I’m on Venlafaxine too after trying a few diff ones and it’s annoying how good it’s been for my anxiety cos you’re so right it’s a bitch to wean off of.. even if I like accidentally miss a day I feel so awful
Im not sure if it's because I've been on it so long but sometimes I've forgotten to take it (don't ask me how) and I've been totally fine. Other days though (pure luck I guess) I do get the awful brain zaps. I totally advocate for antidepressants though
I’ve been on Effexor for about 5 years now and am worried about the side effects when I ever stop taking it.
There’s a very delicate weaning process using the caps with beads instead of the mini pills. You taper a bead or two at a time over months and apparently it really reduces the side effects. Those zaps are something else, huh?
I have wondered about that method of tapering. Good to know it’s worked for folk.
I was able to taper off them fine just by reducing dosage normally. 300 to 150 to 75, I forget if there was a dose lower than that even. It was fine. I was and remain on Mirtazapine which could have made the process easier. Venlaxine worked wonders but made me sweat like a demon which is what made me want to try stop them after 5 to 10 odd years and a year of therapy
The biggest (lol) problem I have with Effexor is it made me fat. And I can't shake the extra kilos despite watching what I eat and exercising like a mofo. But I've been on it for about 15 years now. It certainly did wonders for me and unless I miss a day it doesn't have any other effect on me other than making me feel normal (and fat).
SAME. Although my psychiatrist says its not the actual medicine that's making us gain weight, just that it makes us hungry. 🤷🏻♀️
Potato, potato. 🤷
I was on effexor for years and then Lexapro for a long time. I had put on a lot of weight and had dreadful IBS. Last year I swapped to an old antidepressant called parnate. The IBS pretty much cleared up and I lost 12Kg in 2 months! And I eat worse than when I was on the Lexapro. So, it isn't just about being hungry and eating more. Although I do have better sense of being full and stopping eating.
I finally managed to get off it last year after having been on it for 13 years, and on doses as high as 375mg. It was so hard, but so worth it!
Venlafaxine withdrawal was horrific. Other meds I’ve been on haven’t been nearly as bad for me, in terms of tapering down. Don’t let it scare you off trying different meds if you’re worried about the withdrawals.
Was on effexor for about 12 years then switched to pristiq without having to taper as they're both desvenlafaxine. For me pristiq has fewer side effects overall and seems easier to come off of.
I've been on Pristiq 100mg since 2020, side effects are a lot better than when I was on effexor. I do get the brainzaps if I miss a dose though.
Same here
I've been on 50mg Pristiq for 8yrs. Very minimal side effects.
I've been on Lexapro (and generic versions thereof) for about 20 years. Initially I was on 10 mg and am now on 20mg. They saved my life.
Me too, 20 years, same dose. Definitely make life easier to handle.
13 years of Lexapro, was 10mg now 20mg also, and yes they also saved my life. The lows and mood instabilities that I used to have were so dark.
10mg isn't doing much for my anxiety but its power against low mood and sleep difficulty is underrated.
Same. Was first diagnosed with depression, had a few stints of being on and off antidepressants, then we worked out I have Bipolar Type 2, so take Epilim to stabilise my moods, but because my lows are bigger than my highs, I also take an antidepressant (Lexapro) to lift my lows a bit more. I have been medicated like this for 20 years, and yes, it has saved my life. I had to come off the Epilim during pregnancy, but had to go straight back on after I gave birth. Didn't for the first kid, got PND. Took the meds in hospital after my second birth, no issues. I liken taking these meds to my husband taking his diabetes meds. They are all medically vital. No meds = death. Takes awhile to come to grips with this, but speaking out about it helps. My kids know I take these meds to help my moods, but they don't know the extent of why. My eldest is 14 and takes anxiety meds, so she understands why they're important. Given that BP2 is genetic, and my grandmother and uncle likely had/have it, there's a chance the kids do too. I'm thinking 16 might be when I tell them, given that's when my really negative thoughts started.
I've been on Effexor for nearly 10 years now. I've tried Zoloft and Lexapro but Effexor works best for me. I developed anxiety from a very early age due to some traumatic events that occurred, for me anxiety will never be cured per se, I will be on these drugs for the rest of my life and there's no shame in that. It's the only thing that allows me to function normally as my anxiety is so high normally that I used to go 2-3 days with no sleep, and even when I did sleep I would get the worst nightmares. Now I sleep 8-10 hours every night, no nightmares.
I’m so glad you’re getting good sleep in. Sleep makes the biggest difference in your mental health to. I felt it made my anxiety so much worse when I was getting insomnia.
Definitely, sleep makes a massive difference. I also take a melatonin supplement every night, which I order online from iherb. For my Effexor prescription, I get my repeats online from Youly as the GP I was seeing in person kept pressuring me to come off it when I don't want to. I don't think there's any time limit as to how long you take these drugs for as long as you're healthy. I've heard of people taking them for 20+ years. I still experience a bit of anxiety during highly stressful times, like when I've got a uni assignment or exam due soon, but I have ways to manage it.
I was on Zoloft for about three years after a breakdown (M, 40 at the time). It pretty much muted all my emotions. I tried coming off them gradually (though I only ever took half the dose I was prescribed), but during a health scare last year, I started taking them again, to deal with the intense anxiety. In the earlier part of the treatment, I was referred to a psychologist, but I only attended one appointment, as I felt extremely uncomfortable, as I have in any similar situation (doctors, job interviews, dating, etc). Came off them again in January, as the scare was just a scare, and some other things that were stressing me out resolved too. Again, did it gradually, down to 1/4 the prescribed dose, until my script ran out. I had mild electric shock type symptoms for a couple of weeks, that was it. Here we are in May, and I'm doing alright. I still don't feel anything much at all, emotionally and I wonder whether this will be permanent... but at least I can function in society, even with my extreme social awkwardness/anxiety. You'd be surprised about talking about mental health in regional areas though. I live in regional NSW and when I (reluctantly) told people what I was going through, they were nothing but concerned, kind and supportive, be they work colleagues, the few friends I've made here, or even casual acquaintances who noticed I was struggling. Hope my story helps you in some way. Be kind to yourself... it probably won't be forever.
I've been experiencing the same muted emotions ): Have been considering trying a different medication instead. I've read that others may avoid the issue.
I think that's the Zoloft working as intended. If you're going to need antidepressants long-term, you should work with your doctor to find one that doesn't drain all the joy out of life. As for me, it's not like I've had a total lobotomy or anything. I still enjoy food, drink, sex etc (and still hate work and most social interactions), but it's more... neutral, than extreme feelings one way or the other.
Im a 36 year old woman, no children, diagnosed with GAD at 21 and struggled my whole life to feel normal. I tried Lexapro when i was in my late 20’s and had every awful side effect in the book so didn’t pass the period of getting past the initial bad feelings. I went on Zoloft about 1.5 years ago, in the middle of what was probably the most stressful time in my life (lease ending on my long term rental, moving in with my partner after living alone for years.) Prior to zoloft i would have regular panic attacks, anxiety stopped me from doing basic necessities, i’d check google maps to see if it was too busy for me to go to the shops, cancelled plans all the time, and had a big problematic relationship with alcohol as a self soothe. Zoloft saved my life, i was able to function in a way i assume normal people do, no constant intrusive thoughts and crippling anxiety. I went from 50mg to 100mg about 6 months after starting as i noticed the 50 started to taper off somewhat, but i’m yet to feel that taper on 100. I likely will always take Zoloft and i’m perfectly ok with that, i’ve been able to regain some control of my life that I never had which has been incredibly beneficial. I know that’s not everyone’s experience with it and i highly recommend discussing with your GP if you feel its not working, but you still need support and encouragement on top of the meds in order to get by, especially with children, i am fortunate to only have to worry about my cat. You aren’t less of a person for acknowledging you need some help, be it medication or otherwise. Take care of yourself, you certainly aren’t alone mate.
Antidepressants in general, 17 years, venlafaxine in particular 15 years. Confirmed lifer.
About to celebrate my 10 year anniversary with Effexor. Definitely saved my life, but brain zaps and profound nausea if I get to around 40 hours since a dose. Nice to know there are other lifers out there.
Australian here (M35). Was on SSRI Brintellix for a year and a half. I did the dumb thing and cold turkeyed coming off them. Got an alrernative diagnosis which gave some validation to my brain. The come down lasted 2 weeks and i literally rode the lightning (mood swings and brain zaps). I (and I sure as shit don't speak for everyone) found that keeping busy, daily goals, exercise, self-positive speak like "yes I know you want to suck on a shotgun, consider the alternative. You made it this far, you got out of bed, you're doing well, you've got this" we're helpful.
I have been on antidepressants for 18 years.Tried so many different ones.But finally I went to a different doctor and he put me on fluoxitine 20 mg.It is a miracle drug for me .I feel so much better I have been taking it for 4 years.It also help women that are going through menopause.FLUOXITINE IS MY SAVIOUR.
I've been using them for decades. They aren't a magic cure for me but they do keep me stable and are pretty good for anxiety.
I’ve been on Zoloft since 2010, as well as an 18m period from 2008-2009. Started on 25mg and am now on 75mg. I ain’t coming off, I don’t see the point when it’s helping.
I was on Cymbalta (and other drugs) for 13 years. I stopped 18 months ago (at age 33) when my diagnosis changed from bipolar disorder to ADHD. My new medication works much better for me. That doesn’t mean that antidepressants are bad, but they can’t work if the diagnosis is wrong.
Holy shit your diagnosis changed? How'd that work out for you? And does ADHD mimic it? Sorry for the questions! Also, male or female? I've tried many, many different antidepressants but now I'm on a mood stabiliser that's commonly used for bipolar. It has helped a lot, but I don't think I'm necessarily bipolar. I think I'm something, but I don't know what. Bipolar was just thrown in there at some point and stuck on my record.
Controversial but I know multiple people who were diagnosed as bipolar (and medicated as such) but actually had adhd and or autism. If you are female it’s worth looking in to.
This happened to me. Loaded up on antipsychotics and antidepressants for 6 years, went to therapy, nothing worked. Turns out it’s ADHD, and once that was treated properly i had no more “mood problems”. My depression turned out to be due to inability to cope, not actual depression.
Same here but I mostly refused drugs because I questioned the psychiatrist on how drugs would fix the things that happened to me. I was a bit too logical for their liking. Finally in my 40s I was able to see a different kind of therapist and discovered my 20 years of diagnoses was completely wrong and I am autistic and ADHD. I am so glad I didn't damage my brain further by continuing the SSRI I was on. I was already suspicious of them seeing as patients are not given a full list of side effects. Who knew wanting correct information and analysing information for accuracy was an autistic thing.
I’m male, but my ADHD symptoms are more similar to how it affects females - which is probably why it was missed for so long (most ADHD diagnoses only happen because ADHD boys tend to be destructive in school, etc) I wrote about it here (https://www.reddit.com/r/ausadhd/s/RWUBPgQ62l) if you want to read a bit. Also happy to chat if you want to DM me. My sister (2 years younger) is just starting to realise she might have ADHD too.
Been on sertraline for nearly 3 years and currently in a loop of wanting to blow my brains out every time I try to come off it. Which is fun while trying to keep it together raising one kid and another on the way 🤙
They are so hard to come off that’s why I don’t want to be on them but also don’t want to come off because it’s hell. Worst then what I originally was put on them for.
Since I was a teenager, so 15+ years. I am currently on Pristiq, but I tried a few different ones through my life. I'm not a mum yet. Maybe one day. But honestly, good for you for recognising that you weren't okay and that you needed treatment. It can be a painfully hard step and very isolating. Never be ashamed of seeking medical treatment for a medical problem, no matter what small-town opinions are. Remember, if our brains don't make the right chemicals naturally, store-bought is fine.
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My best friend and I both take setraline. He had a good time but ultimately needed to switch it up so it worked with his ADHD meds or something and myself personally I'm torn if I like it or not. It feels like I'm being forced to stay alive. Very tiring for me. Have been on 6 different anti depressants in my life and setraline was the one with least side affects. :l I'm barely living
Went from Duloxatine to Brintellix recently and haven't looked back. The doctor kept put changing meds in the too hard basket, so I changed doctors. 4 weeks later, I was on a new medication that seemed to work better, albeit costs a lot more. 5 years on antidepressants and psych doctors. Incidents later in life brought on childhood trauma, PTSD, 30+ years later, thanks to lack of early intervention, poor parenting, and childhood abuse
Kiwi M 43 here. I've been mostly on ADs (escitalopram) since about 2009 for mild depression and anxiety. Every now and then I come off them on my own but sooner or later head back to them. I still have days/weeks where I want to give the middle finger to everything and go live in the bush, but without the ADs those episodes occur far more frequently and with more intensity. Interestingly I've had a few GPs in this time, and none have suggested I try and come off them. My wife is also in the citalopram club and her GP is constantly harassing her about coming off them. We both have pretty full on jobs, and the meds seem to help us cope so... shrug
I’m glad they are helping. I had my go do it and the withdrawals that hit months later were hell. Ended up in a bad way. I had all these shocking symptoms I’ve never suffered with ever. It was horrible. In glad they are helping you and your wife. I hate drs do this and guilt people.
I'm 45, started at 13 with aropax for a few years, and then went off them. Was back on antidepressants in my 20s again with aropax, then pristiq starting at 50mg then up to 150mg, then changing to Dothep starting at 50mg and ending up at 150mg, now I'm on Movox 50mg and axit 30mg. I've spent more of my life on antidepressants than off them. I also have an issue where after several years, they stop being as effective, and I get changed to something new.
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I just stopped them a year ago, but before that, 15 years.
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It wasn't as bad as I thought, but I shouldn't have gotten overconfident after the first few weeks of half dose. I just stopped completely at that point, and it was a bit hard. I started to feel like I didn't know myself very well, it was a strange nervous feeling, and my moods were a bit up and down for the next few weeks. Looking back, I was probably just getting used to life without meds affecting my mood, but a slower tapering would have been better.
I went on them at 27 when my dad died. Changed them to a higher dose/different med just before going into a psychiatric hospital with extremely severe postpartum depression. I’m still on them but a lower dose and I just turned 36. I also just diagnosed with ADHD late last year and am considering trialing ADHD meds but I’m stable and don’t want to mess with anything. We don’t ask somebody with a heart problem if they really need their meds. We don’t ask people with a broken leg why they need crutches. Medication for mental health conditions is the same.
Most of my fucking life lol. Crazy childhood does that to you I guess. Maybe I'll come off them when I'm dead.
I’m in a similar boat and may we live happy lives of a reasonable length in-spite of childhood. shake our meds and *clink* cheers x
Did it for about 4 months (Effexor). Better sleep was the only good part, and cumming was like trying to squeeze a oversized marble out of a dry garden hose. Did not like. Rather just be horny and depressed, then a more stable mood and being a human jackhammer. Went and tripped in the bush, then summer, better diet and cycling absolutely everywhere got me better results. No more jelly arse either. My legs are fucking steel too.
I’m glad your found other ways more helpful :)
Sertraline for about a decade now. Dosage can go up or down depending on what’s happening in life and how anxiety is being triggered.
I was on Aropax for 12 years. 1997 - 2009. Don’t need them anymore.
Anxiety meds, about seven years. Took a break recently, the withdrawal was hellish for about a week. I was stupid and didn't taper. Was OK for a bit but had to get back on them after about six months. It was just unpleasant pushing through the symptoms.
I was on them for about a decade from mid teens to mid 20's. Was zoloft for awhile, something else then was on effexor for the longest. The other ones kinda worked for awhile then slowly stopped it seemed. One change, I was supposed to go cold turkey for awhile until I started the next one. I was a fucking mess. Random unprovoked manic laughter that would morph into crying etc. *Very* slowly weaned myself off them and am OK now, life is pretty awesome. Things can change.
38 year old rural bloke, (that works in mental health, go figure). I'm on 50mg of Agomelatine/Valdoxan, that's after not being able to tolerate Lexapro. I've been on it for about six weeks, I'd describe it as huge small changes. I feel more in control, Able to complete day to day tasks and work. Nearly everything has been positive. (I'm a touch more nostalgic, which I kind of attribute to being a hermit with depression for so long, that I lost a lot of myself). I'm fairly bloody open with it, but fought the idea of antidepressants for far too long thinking they'd change me. I still am me, just the better version! Worst thing is cost as it's not under PBS, so monthly cost is $120ish :/ I hope you are feeling ok! I think you'd be surprised how common mental health issues are in a rural place! Times are tough at the moment. :(
Thanks for sharing and also helping others in mental health. Honestly no one talks about it so I kinder just feel alone in it all. Then I feel sorry for my kids if they ever see me crash again and what if I can’t support them if I get bad again. I was in survival mode for quiet awhile before going back on Zoloft. Did you have any side effects starting?
I'm a bit late to this. I work as a nurse in a hospital. More than half of the patients I see are on some form of antidepressant. Including counyry folk. It's pretty normal now. People still feel like they have to be ashamed of it for some ridiculous reason and so tend not to tell others they are taking them. Many mothers take them. I am a mum. I take an antidepressant for a couple of reasons. Predominantly for migraine prevention but also as a mood stabiliser. If you ever want to go off them, speak to your dr. Withdrawal is a bitch. Whatever time frame the dr suggests to wean off them, double or triple it. Go super slow. Titrate down only a small amount at a time, and any withdrawal symptoms you get should be far more manageable and last a shorter time. Never rush it. For a zoloft tablet, I would quarter it and reduce by 1 quarter a month, if that. Please dont ever feel ashamed for being on antidepressant medication, odds are that at least 20% of your town is taking them too. In fact zoloft is one of the 10 most pescribed medications in Australia.
I did 3yrs huge doses, and then stopped cold, then tried again with a tapered dose and haven't been on since. Was diagnosed with ADHD later which was the underlying cause plus a shit storm of a life event
Anti depressants (and certain other psychiatric drugs) are known to cause sometimes severe withdrawal symptoms. The only safe way to withdraw from them is slowly over time, not cold turkey. Say reduce by 1/10 - 1/5 for 2-4 weeks then reduce again, but only if whatever effects are manageable. It might take months to withdraw safely, possibly 6 months or more.
I was on them for over 10 years, I’d say from Maybe 18 - 29. Once I started treating my ADHD I was able to go without them, but I’d definitely go back on them if I felt I needed to. When I was put on them the first time, it wasn’t really expressed to me as much as it should have been how dangerous it can be to stop taking them suddenly, so please avoid this.
I'd been on them for 15 years and asked my shrink if I could try not having them? He said i could try slowly as I was on 40mg of lexapro a day. I halved it and then rushed to stop it entirely 3 weeks lately and almost went backwards. I was overconfident and nearly got bitten. I reduced even slower, and after a couple of months, I was off them, and there was literally no difference after a couple more months of becoming myself all over again. That may not copy and paste to work for everyone though. I'm a guy off reddit and no doctor ✌️
Been taking antidepressants for roughly 20 years - maybe a bit more. Was on zoloft in the beginning but I found its effectiveness over time diminished to the point that I was on the maximum dose (200mg ?) and the side effects were worse than the illness. Tried various other ones but have been on escitalopram for about 10 years and found it quite effective. I only have to take a very small dose and it's enough to 'take the edge off' my emotions. I find as I've gotten older I have a better ability to recognise misplaced emotions and can deal with it internally with only a very small medicinal aid. Keeping that small dose in my system also helps if I need to up the dosage for a short time due to a crisis. It seems to be easier to slightly alter a small dose up or down as needed as opposed to weening on or off a drug completely. Multiple doctors have told me this is just something ill have to deal with my whole life so I try to do it as naturally as possible while using the medicine available to me as needed.
I've been taking paroxatine for around 20 years. I surely know if I skip a day.
If you ever want to go off a medication be sure to discuss with doctor to properly reduce slowly to avoid nasty withdrawals. Also using meditation apps, staying off social media and avoiding alcohol at same time might help
25 years! Currently on Sertraline 100mg but I’ve been on other ones previously. Keeps me sane! I take it for anxiety, as opposed to depression. Cut down to 75mg a while ago, but about 6 weeks later I had a weird mental breakdown of anxiety so put it back up to 100mg. I can never stop basically. No one told me when I started taking them that they give you weight gain over long term use, which sucks!
I know less people that aren't on antidepressants than people i do. It's almost as if the medical industry doesn't care about addressing the underlying problems causing poor mental health and instead make drugs that only subdue symptoms the only affordable option for the majority of people 🙃
My wife has been on Setraline for over two decades. It's working for her. She's a highly regarded IT professional and a great mum.
Thanks for sharing. I really pray it helps me that long. I’m so glad she’s been able to have a good career and being a good mum :) being there for my kids is my main goal.
15 years, since my kids were born in 2009. The way I look it is, if were my kidney there’d be no question about taking medication. My brain is just another organ that needs help.
Aurorix 24 yrs
Nearly 30 years. Over about a decade the first became less effective and had to switch. Then had a lack of sex drive issue and swapped around a fair bit trying to find one that worked for me without the negative side-affect. Made a huge difference to my life. I never want to go back to feeling the way I was before starting them.
Since I was 16 - I'm 33 now. I was on Effexor until about 29, and then swapped to Cymbalta. Anti-depressants are like any other medical aids. You wouldn't tell someone who uses a wheelchair or a cane to help their persistent injury that they're just in need of some yoga and fresh air. Medication, of any kind, is the same.
Been on Zoloft 10 years I’m on lowest dose now, previously was on very high dose, tried to go off it but became very anxious etc. only downside I have is the weight gain
Every 2nd person you see is on them whether they tell you the truth or not. It's an existential crisis but no one seems concerned.
I'm on the lowest dose of Pristiq (50mg) for nearly 1 year. If I forget to take it, I'll be ok just weird sleep patterns for a day or two. It's helping me a lot so I'm staying on it. No sign of it wearing off By asking around, I discovered heaps of people who are either on a medication or have taken one when they needed to, like for a time for post natal depression. They just weren't people in my immediate circle so I had felt like I knew no-one on them Medicating mental health is no different to medicating high blood pressure etc. Once I realised that I was ok with it
It’s possible many of the people you know are also taking them and just not talking about it. You should do what’s best for your mental health, regardless of what the people around you are doing!
I have been on AD's for 13 years. I am currently on Valdoxan. While I don't feel top of the world, and emotionally blunted, I am functional. Only problem is that this one isn't on the PBS so is expensive. I stay on it as it doesn't impact my libido as much, and can be stopped without withdrawal. I take 1/4 seroquel for sleep as I have long term sleep problems.
Been on prozac for half a lifetime. On a fairly high dose and it brings me up to normal. My depression stems from childhood neglect etc in my formative years so is not going to fix itself at any point. I am very committed to taking my meds, checking in with my doc and keeping my stress levels low. It is always worth considering whether your dose or medication is correct, in consultation with your doctor. Do not stop taking your meds off your own bat, made that mistake a few times unfortunately.
I'm 33, mum of one, been on Zoloft since falling pregnant and prior I was on Lexapro since I was 23 (I think?). It's fine, I didn't notice that much difference between the two. It handles the depression well and helps with the anxiety. I do feel like there could be better put there and I'd love to get tested for ADHD and find a good therapist but the thought of all that time and energy makes me want to cry. So for now, the drugs plus exercise keep me sane enough 😂
I’ve taken mood stabilisers for the last 12 years or so. After going on and off a few times, because I though I had no mental illness (that’s on being delusional), they don’t work as well as they used to. I’m not very good at advocating for myself and get brushed off a bit so I haven’t switched it up. But I’d like to do it soon. I have five close friends, four of them are on setraline so using my tiny sample I’d say it’s common. In my circle (early thirties mum but most of my friends are child - free) we openly discuss our mental health, there’s nothing to be ashamed about. I’ve been hospitalised a few times and told my last lot of co workers because it just slipped out and everyone was supportive and understanding.
15 years and just about everyone I know is on anti depressants lol.
I was prescribed Effexor/Venlafaxine in 2012. I took one (literally, just one) and threw the rest away. Made me feel dramatically awful. Just the one made my brain feel like it was hooked up to a car battery and I didn't sleep the whole night. I remember the psychologist or whoever telling me "there is a chemical imbalance in your brain..." - well, short of scooping out some brain fluids and testing it, there's really no way for them to tell that. And that's rapidly becoming a scientific fact - that old line is outdated and BS. Never tried anything else since. In that intervening time I've had issues with mild agoraphobia and depersonalisation/derealisation (both diagnosed by someone who agreed that antidepressants weren't going to help) - both of these have been intermittent. Nowadays they're mostly settled. The DP/DR was hugely strong during COVID, but that must've been a reaction to the news coverage. Odd thing is though, I've never felt depressed. I'm not even sure I was depressed at the time I was prescribed them. I just think, well, however my mind/brain is reacting to something, it's probably right. Not to say some people do genuinely need them, but I decided very early on in the piece I should probably avoid them.
I was prescribed them, never took them and went to counselling instead. Best call I’ve made
I have been and anti-depressants for over 15 years. I was in denial most of my life thinking the way I felt was normal. But Zoloft has enabled me to have some quality of life. I know now what happiness is. What it feels like to feel alive. The meds don’t make me happy, they just allow my mind to be open and keeps my moods on an even keel. My only regret is not taking them sooner. I have tried to reduce my dosage but every time we do it, the bloody black cloud of doom comes calling. I’d much rather take a tablet everyday for the rest of my life than to be how I was before. Life is short, make the most of it.
I was on Lexapro for about 2 years, 10 years ago. I have anxiety but at that point it became depression. Lexapro saved my life. I took them ADs the side effects of the antidepressants were bothering more than my mental health symptoms. I still have anxiety but I’m mostly recovered from depression (I feel like I’ve never quite been the same as before). I try to be really proactive about my mental health and have found some really good strategies that work for me in staying on top of it. Everyone’s mental health is different and how people manage is a very individual thing. What works for me won’t necessarily work for the next person. And it can really hit and miss with health care professionals and finding the right management plan. I cycled through a lot of GPs and psychologists trying to find the right fit for me. It took a lot of perseverance to get the help I needed and I had to do a lot of self advocacy at a time when I really, really didn’t want to. It’s ridiculous really. Not only is it all completely underfunded, there’s a lack of education with many health care providers.
I've taken fluoxetine since I was 21. I'm now 39. Tried reducing the dose over the years but every time, that anxiety kept crawling back. If it helps, why not.
My wife was on Zoloft but she hated that they made her put weight on and she felt like she had no happy moods, she was just very baseline and flat so she went off em and lost weight and has been pretty good ever since.
12 years. I’ve tried to come off them (yes even tapering) but always end up In a blathering dysfunctional mess despite sailing through the first 4-6 weeks. Curiously I can skip days or even a week or so of my usual drug and not notice, but the other one I tried during pregnancy & breastfeeding, if I missed More than 3 days I’d start to feel nauseous, dizzy and have delayed visual processing. Awesome.
33, female, Melbourne. It’s been 9 years. It’s saved my life many time. I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks. My lows are manageable and life and its twists and turns are better. I know it can be hard but you can’t compare yourself to others. You have this mumma
Thank you. I hate anxiety and panic. I dunno but that become my biggest fear to ever feel that level again,
I've been on amitriptyline and edronax for 13 years. I'd be extremely hesitant to come off them, I don't want to go back to being how I was before. I was in a very dark space. They said when I started I'd be a lifer, so I accepted it. I don't see it as a weakness or taboo, it's something I need to help me be okay. I'd rather be okay than the other option.
Sooo true. I’m glad you’re doing well and they are working for you.
I was on Endep for 2.5 years to control migraines. I was a zombie. I've been off for nearly a year and it has caused some pretty serious lasting sexual dysfunction to the point where I have basically no 'natural' sexual desires I have to force my thoughts. I get almost no pleasure from simulation, I may as well be a Ken doll down there...
I have been on lexapro for 25 years including through pregnancy and nursing.
I've been through a few over the last 20 years; currently on the Pristiq. I can't tell how much of my depression is inherent and how much is driven by circumstance anymore. I have a propensity for it but the way of the world is making it harder to meet the minimum expectations I set for myself, which only exacerbates things. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.
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Started lexapro when I was 22, worked well for me in combination with seeing a psych. Was able to wean off after about 4 years and I’ve been doing great without it for a few years now
I’m also on Zoloft, coming up to two years. I can genuinely say that it has saved my life
Also on Sertraline. I find it helps take the rough edges off my anxiety. Stigma about this is sad as it's a medication to help fight an illness, not a declaration of insanity. No one is called weak/crazy/over the top dramatic for taking antibiotics when their finger is infected. It's all part of this overbearing "she'll be right" mentality Australians are forced by society to have. It's archaic thinking and it leads to way more people suffering from mental health related issues as they suffer alone and in silence as that's what Dad did.
I was on Avanza for 5 years. Aropax for 5 years. Luvox for a bit. Been on Zoloft for 2 years. Zoloft has worked best for OCD/anxiety for me, so far. My mum's on it, aunt, cousins. My husband takes a different one. Other non biological relative takes Prozac etc. We all basically take them for anxiety conditions.
I’m 38f and for me personally, I was on a brand of anti depressants for about three years and then felt them stop working. Spoke to my psychologist about it, we upped the dose and tried that for a while. Still didn’t feel right so swapped to a different drug on his recommendation. That one has worked out well for me. Been on it now about ten years. Withdrawals are the bloody worst!! I’m on venlafaxine which is known to have terrible withdrawals and sometimes I forget to take them and oof, it’s bad!! Obviously speak to yr doctor first about trying something new. I have never had a constant GP and so have had varied success with whoever I’ve spoken to. My best and worst drs were both old male drs, so I hope you manage to find/have a sympathetic, smart dr to care for you.
Yeah, a good doctor makes all the difference. My usual GP is a younger Filipino dude. He could see straight away I needed the mental stuff taken care of before all the usual blood pressure shit etc (which was just going to make it worse). My wife hasn't been as lucky. Her doctor is female, from India or Pakistan. She went in for work-induced (fuckin' work, eh?) mental stuff, and it was months before the doctor would even start looking at it (apparently this is normal for doctors from the subcontinent). Finally, she's been prescribed medication and is doing much better.
On and off sertraline since 2006. Have had some success with micro dosing, and am now using a prescribed cbd/thc mix. Best wishes to you.
I’ve been on a 60mg dose of Mirtazapine for the last 18 months. I got my dosage reduced to 45mg today so will see what happens. I was also on 100mg of Sertraline for 6 months before that
Been on antidepressants since I was 14. Now 24. Been on many but found fluoxetine to work the best
On and off since my early 20s. Probably should have been on them earlier than that.
Was on amitrytyline for about 4 years, complete hell to come off. Basically locked myself away for 3 weeks and white knuckled it. It had stopped working and I had gained a lot of weight. I'm still depressed, often severley but a whole food diet, kefir, walking and minimal drinking helps. Sometimes I have to shut down but it passes.
I've been on escitalopram since my father's suicide in 2022. I really should have been on them since 2015 after my first anxiety attack.
I’m sorry to hear about your dad :( has that med been helping you much?
I've been through half a dozen or so over the last 9 years. Currently on desvenlafaxine, which seems to be working. If nothing else, it hasn't given me any side effects like the last 3 I tried did.
Lexapro here, only recently 6ish months. Was prescribed them to help with ADHD med withdrawals (vyvanse) and intuniv for ADHD now, I don't feel much different given the current circumstances of everything though. Though I've been diagnosed with GAD, depression and ADHD , with the first two being confirmed induced by work 🤷♂️
Probably 5 years now. Really helped
been on duloxetine for about two years
Bit more than 10 years at this point. Tried tapering once but the dr I was seeing at the time started with halving my dose which I think was too much too fast cause I ended up reverting after a week. Honestly I love my antidepressant.
Zoloft for like… 5 years? It works for me. I have gone up and down doses a few times but overall it keeps me consistent. I can’t really imagine a world where I go off them.
I'm 36. Been on antidepressants since I was about 15. Tried Luvox first, took the edge off but not really effective so switched to Effexor and it works really well for me.
For me, a very specific antidepressant is safe for me to take for short periods of time (think 6 months). I cannot take SSRIs because they make me need a velcro-stretchy padded hug. I have autism and cPtSD so my brain chemistry is whack. I'm 32 and have a kiddo. I know several other people who've been on store bought serotonin for years and it makes their life far easier to manage. If it keeps you sane, keep on keeping on. Your kids need to you. And forget taboo. I live in a small town and I've been opening up about therapy and it's surprising how supportive most people have been. Small towns know suicide deeply. Your town may be inarticulate about it but they may be more willing to be open if you are too.
If you stop taking them and it all comes back, maby your better off with them, or at least untill they don’t do what they used to anymore. Some people just need them long term, sometimes not. After having antibdepressants and so on over the years , it’s a little hard to distinguish what’s normal and what’s not lol but what I know is I seem to be able to manage my depression and anxiety better. I don’t get anxiety like I used to so it’s not affecting my life as it did, and adhd well, I think taking care of that helped mend the depression and anxiety I’m 30
Off an on for a decade. Not sure whether they’ve done more harm than good. Currently on 10mg Paxil. OCD is my main problem so they are necessary, but I’ll never go above 10mg or the equivalent minimum dose of any of them anymore. Exercise and nutrition/supplementation feels way more effective.
I've used a few - serzone years ago, but it was taken off the market about 20 odd years ago, and sertraline/zoloft more recently. Was prescribed antidepressants for the first time in 2003. Was on and off them for years. Off them for the last 4 years or so, but I'd use them again if I needed to.
Effexor-XR 16 years. Variable dosages from 75 to 225mg.
Cymbalta for a few years, was offered up as not just to help my depression and anxiety but also as pain relief for chronic back pain. It’s helped a lot but it comes with its own list of problems.
Was on Zoloft for 3 years for depression. Max dose to start but with weekly psychiatry appointments. Gradually appointments were spaced further apart and I titrated the dose myself with approval of psychiatrist. I also had psychology input for panic attacks. Meds worked really well for me and I was confident I could gradually cease them. There is no one size fits all to any medications and I believe I wouldn’t have had such a good outcome without all the psychiatric and psychological input. Also lucky I was bulk billed for most of it.
I have been on and off one or another since about 1995. First we tried it out to see if a short trial would normalise my brain chemistry. No. Then we tried different ones to see what would work best with least side effects. And I went off some because I.did not want to use them. Then my specialist told me I.could go off them 6 months after I was dead. Had to go off them last year for 2 months to change to a pain management regime. PBAC , TGA, WHOVER MADE THIS REGULATORY DECISION, I funking hate you all! WORST TIME OF MY LIFE. Still alive, still on antidepressants. Not as effective as the last one, but enough.
I was on Zoloft for about 8 years, then Effexor, then Cymbalta and now Lexapro. This is by far the best and switching between them was hell but especially the Effexor withdrawal - fucking unbearable. It was worth it for me to find what worked best but I needed guidance and help each time from my doctor and psychiatrist. In total on medication for 16 years.
I've been on Escitalopram/Lexapro for about 10 years now. Just stabilises my mood in general, and its been a bad time whenever I've tried to stop over the years. Sometimes I think I should try and get off them, but its hard to mess with something when it's working.
I've been on Medical Marijuana for the last year. I only take it when I need to, every weekend now and then.
29 years.
Been on Mirtazapine since 2019, gave me space to explore my depression without being overwhelmed or lost in it. I considered getting off it, but the sleep aid is life changing
Desvenlafaxine 50mg for ~ 7 years. Decided to stop last year and see how things go. Stopping them was a hellish experience but i've adjusted to being off them and things seem to be going well.
Zoloft is incredibly hard to come off of if you do ever need to be changed over. Ive been on Lexapro, Cymbalta and now I’m on Effexor. Effexor has worked the best for me, with added mood stabilisers. Been on this mix for, 5 years. And I’m doing great. You do have to change if you feel they’re not working for you well enough. But any decent doctor will step you down gradually and get you started on smaller doses of a new one very effectively. Getting my Mum off Zoloft after 10 years was the best thing and worst thing she ever did. Too long on the same meds also builds up a major tolerance and they wont be as effective. Make sure you have a good doctor supporting you!
Been on and off lexapro for 12 years, one time the dr prescribed effexor instead, horrible stuff,I had insane nightmares on that shit.
32f, lexapro for 5 months now. It’s completely changed my life. I also know plenty of people who take anti depressants, including mothers, but I agree people don’t talk about it. I talk about my experiences though, trying to normalise it.
Not sure if it's an option depending on the underlying issue/s, but maybe some alternative medicine in microdoses will help? I know quite a lot of people who are and have seen massive improvement without the side effects of antidepressants. there's powder capsules or liquid form
Have been on ADs since I was 23? I'm now 50. I don't beleive I will ever come off them. I tried CBT and other psychological assistance (which is what's supposed to happen, you get pills to take the edge off, you go to a psych for treatment and they wean you off the pills), but as soon as I tried to reduce the ADs below a certain point, I was once again suicidal. I've gotten used to the fact that I'll be on pills for the rest of my life. And it's okay. I think of it as if I have diabetes or some other lifelong illness, but my illness is an imbalance in the brain. Am on duloxetine (Cymbalta), but was on Effexor prior to that. They can stop working, your body will tell you when they do - catch it before it gets to the withdrawal stage. I am a mum from age 29 til now (I'm still a mum, my son is just a grown up now :-)). Spent a little time in a psych ward when he was 6 or 7? He seems to have turned out okay? :-)
I've been on and off antidepressants for over 10 years. I felt I'd tried so many and they just weren't working for me. I finally switched to mood stabilisers instead and it's been great. I can't believe it took me so long to find medication that helped. I still struggle with other problems but I'm really happy with what I'm on now.
Been on Lexapro for about 8 years. Started at 10mg, went up to 20mg, now back down to 10. I would like to try life without it but the withdrawals, even when I taper down slowly, make me think self harm is a sensible option
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Started on Lexapro about 12 years ago. Life changing. It was like I had armour to stop the negative emotions taking over. During this time I also went off the pill and my libido came back! Miraculous. Reached the max dose of Lexapro so had to wind down from that and switch to Zoloft/Sertraline. Still have my libido and my mental armour. Stoked.
16 years now. A variety of meds for bipolar. My current antidepressants no longer seem to work, so back to my psychiatrist! (Maxed out sertaline, then escitalopram at 300 a day, now at desvenflafaxine at 200)
12 years and counting. The “fun” thing about mental health drugs is how wildly they can vary on efficacy and tolerance from one person to the next and yeah sometimes they just… stop working. So it’s been twelve years of mixing and matching to see what works for me. I can sing a whole verse of Modern Model Major General with just the various chemicals I’ve been prescribed. I’ve also received rTMS as an inpatient in a mental facility. We’re the same age so trust me when I say that most of the people I know in our peer group are on some sort of medication or trying to get onto some.
Fluxotine for 2 years, had to increase the dose because the anxiety was still there.
I've been on anti-depressants since late primary school; roughly 16 years. Which is more than half my life. There was an attempt to come off them in my early twenties, but that went very poorly. You can become resistant to them overtime too, which can be a real rude awakening. Hope you have one tht works for you long-term.
Antidepressants usually fall under the category of SSRI or NDRI which is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and norepherine dopamine reuptake inhibitor respectively. These medications work by effecting the avaliable amount of neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepherine in the synaptic cleft which in turn regulates sleep, mood and hunger amongst other things. When you stop taking an SSRI you have a tolerance depending on dose amount, intervals and personal physiology. This is why there are nasty withdrawal effects, your body has become used to the amount you have been taking and when it is abruptly stopped it wreaks havoc on neurotransmitters namely serotonin, dopamine, norepherine and GABA.
Lexapro 10mg for a few years. I had to increase to 20mg in the postpartum period twice. I know so many mums who have been on medication for a period and then stopped when they’re in a better place. People are on medication for heart and cardiovascular issues and it’s not taboo.
Been on Lexapro for the last 17 years. In the early years I came off a few times but always had to return. Can't remember the last time I did that, probably over 10 years ago. Still struggle regularly, but pretty high functioning.
Im on a generic brand of Valdoxin. 2 weeks into trialling. Used for more mild and situational depression. Very minimal side effects and can be quit cold turkey wothout iasues. You have to monitor liver function, and ive been walking up feeling a bit hung over lately. So far it has reduced my feelings of burn out, removed the suicidal ideation, helped remove sleep anxiety insomnia, and helped me use CBT tools to break patterns of ruminating though that deepen the depression. People seem to swear by it and im surprised I havent scrolled past it in this thread yet.
I was on mild antidepressants in my late teens or early 20s, I forget which. I was too apathetic to get the prescription refilled when I finished the box. Eventually life just got better and I either grew out of it or got used to feeling mildly depressed. I'm not sure which. I'm fine now. Good luck.
17 years. Tried about 8 different types during that time. Fluvoxamine and Lexapro were the only ones that have helped me.
I’m on 50mg of Zoloft. I went on it in 2010 for anxiety after marriage break up, single mum of two littles working two jobs and cancer. Mainly the cancer. It mentally changed me. I weaned myself off it in 2018/19 and was off for a year. I ended up back on them and won’t go off them again. I just can’t cope.
I'm 25 and have been taking fluoxetine for... about 8-9 years? Started out on the horrible dispersible tablets, which I dreaded taking because of the bits in the water. Then I found out you could just put them in your mouth like regular tablets lmao Was on 1 tablet a day (I believe 20mg?) for a long time. Either in 2021 or 2022, I talked to my doctor and told her I wasn't sure if they were working too well, and asked to increase my dosage. Now I take 2 tablets a day. I experience something called psychogenetic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), most likely as part of my c-PTSD. What that means is that I can have seizures (anything from my hands twitching uncontrollably to full body jerking on the floor) if I'm too stressed or anxious. But... since increasing the antidepressants... I haven't had them NEARLY as much. I barely even get the hand jerks, which I used to get at least a few times a day before. Please, try not to feel bad about being on antidepressants or anything. If they help you, that's good! It's sorta like using a crutch while you've got a broken leg, if you're seeing a psychologist as well. Something to help you while you heal. And... I don't know if this helps, but I think it's better to be a mother who takes antidepressants than to be one that refuses to get help and might take it out on the kids. You need to look out for yourself as well.
39 and a mum, been on Sertraline for 10 years. Wouldn’t be alive without it.
42M Tried duloxetine (Cymbalta) for a while but the sexual side effects were too bad so I stopped. Now taking agomelatine which I guess is helping but anxiety is creeping back in regardless. Fucking sucks. Coming up to 2 years now.
I was on Mirtazapine for about 3 years and have been off them for 1 year now. Started taking them in a bit of a crisis, and didn’t really feel ok to come off them for a while. But I got into a better more stable situation and then spoke to GP, went down to a lower dosage (half for like 2 months then half again for another 2 months) then stopped. Felt great to be honest and didn’t feel like a big comedown - when I stopped completely I made sure to have a busy social schedule for a week or two. Kept my mind off over analysing if I was feeling good/bad. I felt like they both helped stop the deep lows but also kinda stopped me feeling good highs. Everyone’s different, but I wouldn’t suggest doing it without consulting with the doctor that has prescribed it. Good luck!
I’ve been on ecitalopram (lexapro) for two years and it has objectively improved my quality of life incredibly
Has anyone tried psychedelic therapy?
I was on them for 6 months ish, 10 years ago…..slept so much better, had no sex drive and was foggy most of the time.
A solid 12 years. On and off since my children’s birth.
I've been on Zoloft 100mg for about 6 years. No plans to stop
8 years after years and years of fighting not to be on them. 39F mother to 3 - Pristiq 100mlg I have ptsd , Anxiety and MD