I've tried quite a few antidepressants over the years. Lexapro was the one that's actually worked, and kept working. You have to start at a half dose and acclimate to it, and it really doesn't kick in until you're on the full dose for a bit.
Beyond simply finding a medication that works, having a therapist to talk to was surprisingly important for me. I didn't think I needed one, but as my moods went from black and blue to optimistic (normal?) I was worried it was doing too much to me.
Being able to talk to someone without fear of being judged, or marring social or family relations, helped me realize what feeling normal was actually like.
Long story short, side effects are real. Don't panic, but don't ignore them either if they interfere with your normal routine. Expect that the first medication may not be the one; mental illnesses are poorly understood, so it will take time and be totally worth it if you put in the patience and effort
Finally, learn what triggers you. Feeling shitty temporarily is natural, but when your mind has been conditioned to spiral that into long term funk, it'll take more than medication to fix- this is where your therapist can help big time.
I've tried quite a few antidepressants over the years. Lexapro was the one that's actually worked, and kept working. You have to start at a half dose and acclimate to it, and it really doesn't kick in until you're on the full dose for a bit.
Beyond simply finding a medication that works, having a therapist to talk to was surprisingly important for me. I didn't think I needed one, but as my moods went from black and blue to optimistic (normal?) I was worried it was doing too much to me.
Being able to talk to someone without fear of being judged, or marring social or family relations, helped me realize what feeling normal was actually like.
Long story short, side effects are real. Don't panic, but don't ignore them either if they interfere with your normal routine. Expect that the first medication may not be the one; mental illnesses are poorly understood, so it will take time and be totally worth it if you put in the patience and effort
Finally, learn what triggers you. Feeling shitty temporarily is natural, but when your mind has been conditioned to spiral that into long term funk, it'll take more than medication to fix- this is where your therapist can help big time.