To be scared to go on anti depressants

[Angellucy07]

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.

My GP described Citalopram as something that would 'take the rough edges off' which was accurate for me.
Doesn't take away what's going on but enables you to cope better with it.

I was very worried about side effects too. It took me three months to work up to taking them which, looking back, was ridiculous. I took 20mg Sertraline and the only side effects were feeling a bit 'not with it' for the first couple of days and struggling to sleep for 2/3 nights. After that I was fine. I went on/off them twice (had a panic about breastfeeding on them so stopped about 2 weeks in) and had the same side effects both times so it was definitely the tablets. After about three months I noticed I was having occasional leg twitches when lying in bed but it was no big deal and stopped when I came off them.

I'd say take the tablets, see how you get on. You can always stop or swap to something else if they don't suit you. They really do make a difference. It's worth it.

They can help, but they can have withdrawal side effects also which the doctors often don;t mention and side effects. A big main side effect of almost all SSRIs is lack of sex drive. They have helped me but it has also been difficult coming off them.

Citalopram for a period and now Sertraline for anxiety which is much improved.

I'd only fully recommend them if your sex life is a very low priority though. Unfortunately, mine isn't.