What anti-depressant has worked for you? I'm really struggling

[Rolypops]

My life has been really stressful for months and I am now in the throes of a full mental health crisis and it's gotten to the point where I think medication might be my only option. I've had a long history of anxiety and depression and I've always been put on various SSRIS but immediately stop them the moment I feel better and really none of them have ever made a huge dent. I'm hugely anxious and scared about side effects too which always makes taking medicine difficult.

For anyone with depression and anxiety (my anxiety probably being the biggest problem). What anti-depressant have you taken and has it worked?

Tried citalopram and the withdrawal is horrrific. Mirtazapine is great but the weight gain. My psychiatrist suggested vorteoxetine which helps with focus and motovation and therefore a good one if you have adhd which I do, that worked for me.

Paroxetine (Paxil) saved my life.
I've been taking it for years and have no intention to ever stop taking it. I don't think I've seen it mentionned on MH threads before? I also take Lorazepam à few hours before bedtime.

I tried HRt patches for 6 months and they gave me rages. (im 48) and im back on the combined pill (no break until end of pack 3 as directed by the GP) but im struggling with my MH.

my anxiety is through the roof. I had a meltdown the other day as my car would not start. That wouldn’t have bothered me years ago. People get on my nerves, i worry about everything. My DD hasn’t been well and I’m channelling my energy about caring/worrying about her (she is in uni 150 miles away). She was given sertaline 10 weeks ago and now im seeing a difference in her.

but ive not had a good week. Im low, stressed, so stressed my period has started(this happens when i get too stressed), im crying, not eating. Im declining every invitation to anything as i dont want to see people. And now a family bereavement.

i have to call my GP this week.

If your problem is indeed due to the perimenopause, then HRT should help; certainly it helped me with my crippling anxiety and insomnia.

Citalopram has been great for me. Just give it time to work though, its not an overnight fix and always made me feel worse to start with - but I've powered through each time as I know by week 3 or 4 things get a whole lot brighter and easier. I've been on it about 10 years now, on varying doses. I have found it really effective for the anxiety part, about 6 months ago I started having panic attacks each morning. Upped my dosage as I was on a very minimal dose and within a few weeks I felt positive and calm again - panic attacks vanished
Keep persevering until you find something that works for you, it's worth it

I’ve struggled with all of them.

Venlafaxine makes me feel sparkly.
Chlomiprimine made me feel like someone had switched a soft golden light on inside me.

The others made me grumpy.

Cilatopram didn’t work for me. Running did, and xanax for panic/anxiety attacks/crises. I haven’t taken it for ages but having it in the drawer is a comfort.

im still amazed that exercise “cured” me.