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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be scared to go on anti depressants

29 replies

Angellucy07 · 02/04/2019 09:25

This is due to the only people I know who have been on them have had really bad experiences.
One even felt suicidal while taking them (when previously she didn't feel that extreme).

I know everyone is different, but I've just never heard any positive stories.

I have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and currently having counselling.
I feel this will help in the long term, but I'm currently going through a phase of feeling tearful a lot and having panic attacks due to re-living it all through therapy.(My counsellor says this is a normal part of the grieving process).

My GP suggested anti depressants may also be beneficial, but it's not going to take away the sadness of what I went through.

I'm also worried about side effects as I suffer from migraine (the visual/ numbness type) so have to be careful with that too.

OP posts:

Greenlegobox · 02/04/2019 09:29

I was on Citalopram for a few years. Only found benefits, no downside. I felt better and got my life back. It gave me space to recover through therapy and time to sort my thinking out. I came off the gradually in a planned way with my GP and I've been fine for neatly 3 years. If I needed them again, I wouldn't think twice.

CosyAsAToasty · 02/04/2019 09:33

I was petrified before taking them. BUT I persevered and they helped me getting back on my feet (in combination with CBH and hypnotherapy). Suicidal thoughts are found to be increased in teens when on AD's - I had this explained to me.
The fear of the fear was debilitating for me. But I got through it, and so will you. Be kind to yourself and give yourself time to recover.

GetOffTheRoof · 02/04/2019 09:35

ADs have never affected my migraines despite mine being chronic. I've taken citalopram previously and now sertraline.

ADs don't make you happy. I describe what they do as being in a swimming pool and drowning, unable to touch the bottom. The ADs give you the bottom, so you can finally stop sinking. You might still be gasping for air above the water level, but you're breathing again. All the work you then do to get better will help you to swim or float, but you won't drown in the same way again.

Maykid · 02/04/2019 09:35

Angel I was the same as you, PTSD, panic attacks etc after my baby son died. Antidepressants stopped the worst of it and gave me my life back. I am now withdrawing very very slowly and doing ok.

ScottishDiblet · 02/04/2019 09:36

OP I am
Sorry you are going through this. I wanted to share with you that I have a very positive experience with anti depressants. In fact I know very many people who have positive experiences. My top tip is to be aware that it might take some tweaking of the type or dosage in the first few weeks or months but you WILL feel better and it will help you out of the hole. Very best wishes.

OllyBJolly · 02/04/2019 09:48

I also had a positive experience. I was a disaster before - I didn't at the time recognise how much of a disaster I was. I did have a very sympathetic GP who worked with me to get the right medication and correct dosage.

The anti-depressants allowed me to sleep for one thing. I had two young DCs (under 3) and would fall asleep immediately I went to bed, and then wake up an hour later with terrible anxiety and that would be me for the night. The lack of sleep made coping with everything else even harder. I would cry most of the day, sit and stare out of the window for hours, drop DC1 at playgroup terrified someone would talk to me. I called my HV and asked her to take the children into care because I couldn't cope and they would be better off elsewhere. Seems so strange now. She was great and arranged for me to see the GP.

Once on the ADs I seemed to have more energy, and just coped better day to day. I engaged with the world again. I had to go into hospital for a major op and there was some mix up with the medication and I didn't get my tablets. I was heavily sedated for a few days and decided not to restart the tablets. So I took them for a year and although now and again I feel the depression creeping up on me, I've never been as bad as I was then. Horrible, horrible time. I wish you well, OP.

SapatSea · 02/04/2019 10:12

Some anti depressants are used as migraine preventative such as Effexor/venlafaxine, the tricyclics, some evidence for the use of sertraline and migraine can be a co morbid condition with depression/ptsd etc. So the right anti depressant could also help with your migraines as well as the ptsd.

Milicentbystander72 · 02/04/2019 10:20

I've only gad positive experiences of AD's as well.

I took Citralopram when my dcs were about 7 and 5. I was suffering with huge anxiety and depression. I could barely cope with tiny day to day things.
Within a month I felt 'normal'. I still felt annoyed, tired, slightly worried about things but I also felt calm happiness creeping in where it should. In other words, nothing felt artificial. Just myself.

I have a good friend who has suffered with depression and anxiety since he was a teenager. He's mid 50's now. He's been on and off AD's all his life. He's attempted suicide 3 times BUT says it's always been a good dr and different AD's that have helped him through.

The trick is good communication with your Gp. If and AD makes you feel suicidal then you should be back at the gp changing your type.

Good luck op.

TheShiteRunner · 02/04/2019 10:21

I have also had a really good experience. I started on citalopram, which didn't suit me- I couldn't sleep at all- but now on sertraline, and I feel like me again. I have form with migraines too, but they haven't affected me in that way at all.
I feel that they take away the extremes of emotion for me. I don't get those horrible lows, but I don't get huge highs either. It's a really lovely place to be. Also, I have always tended to be a bit obsessive, especially about men (I am single and I could never stand to be without a crush.) That has gone and it is SO empowering. I feel like I'm breathing for the first time in years.

bilbodog · 02/04/2019 11:21

Ive been on citalopram for many years and it makes me feel ‘normal’. Its worth trying because it could help enormously.

Treaclepie19 · 02/04/2019 11:36

@TheShiteRunner I think I'm very similar to you.
Does it not bother you not having the huge highs? I quite enjoy them.
I'm scared of taking them too so asking for a reason as it's something I'm probably going to have to do soon.

Halloumimuffin · 02/04/2019 11:41

I was on citalopram for a short time - I had some minor side effects (some night sweats, dry throat) and I wouldn't say I noticed a huge change in my moods, but I suppose the proof is in the pudding and I came off them after 6 months with my anxiety significantly improved (and it still is, mostly - it's a process!)

adeo1929 · 02/04/2019 11:43

I was on fluoxetine for a while for depression and anxiety (GAD and social anxiety). The first month my anxiety was through the roof, all I could do was curl up in a ball. After that - it was the best I've ever felt my entire life. My anxiety was practically non existent, I was able to leave the house. They didn't make me suddenly happy and carefree, but the freedom of not being tied down by my anxiety made my happier, going out and being free of anxiety attacks made me happier. I was able to sleep which made me happier.... Best thing I ever did.

adeo1929 · 02/04/2019 11:44

Oh and while I've suffered anxiety since coming of them (years ago) it's no where near as extreme, and my social anxiety is miles better. I'm closer to 'shy' now, but able to speak up and go out and basically live my life as normal

DrCristinaYang · 02/04/2019 12:05

I've been on sertraline for just over a year and a half now (since just before I turned 18) and my life has been given back to me.
I am on them for severe anxiety, panic disorder and depression. Things have majorly improved, at first I was on 50mg and it wasn't doing much but after ending up under the Home Treatment Team my dosage was increased to 100mg and I have gotten a lot better.
Previously I had 5 full on panic attacks a day, now at most I have them once a month. I also no longer self-harm or feel suicidal. I am a lot more able to cope with everyday life.

crazycatlady5 · 02/04/2019 12:09

Been on citalopram on and off for 10 years. All I can say is they changed my life, for the better. The initial side effects can be brutal (I would imagine the suicidal feelings your friend had were to do with that) but once that dies down it’s amazing.

SerenDippitty · 02/04/2019 12:48

Been on citalopram for three months though was prescribed for anxiety rather than depression. I was a bit apprehensive but it's been very positive. I had diarrhoea in the mornings the first couple of weeks and a bit of tinnitus but that was all.

happyhillock · 02/04/2019 12:55

Ive been on Sertraline for nearly a year for depression, they have made a big difference and i feel happier, no problems with side affects

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 02/04/2019 12:58

My GP suggested anti depressants may also be beneficial, but it's not going to take away the sadness of what I went through

No but they make it easier to cope and work through the sadness.

TheShiteRunner · 03/04/2019 19:07

Treaclepie I would have expected the absence of the highs would worry me too, but actually just to have a period of calm is really lovely. I feel I'm making better and more informed decisions now. I still have sadness and happiness, but not depression nor ecstasy.

Merryoldgoat · 03/04/2019 19:11

I’ve been on Sertraline for about 2 months and it’s changed my life.

I didn’t realise how awful I felt until I’d been taking it a few weeks.

I’m taking them in conjunction with CBT and I feel like a new person.

ScabbyHorse · 03/04/2019 19:19

I've had good experiences with ADs but I have a question about your therapy. Are they making you relive the trauma? Is that strictly necessary? I had an amazing therapist who always said it is not wise to go back over trauma as it can retraumatise you.

ScrommidgeClaryAndSpunt · 03/04/2019 19:27

I'm on Citalopram. Put simply, they have (without fuss) given me my life back. I can actually function again.

goose1964 · 03/04/2019 19:47

Sertraline here, it's really changed my life. I used to get negative voices in my head, they've stopped

Bumper1969 · 03/04/2019 19:49

You have been offered much needed help,. If you had cancer, would you feel ambiguous about medical help? Why do you think medication is wrong here? What's the alternative? Thankfully you live in a time and place where you can get cheap medication. I really don't see your problem.

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