Too scared to go on antidepressants

[Justabtfunctioning]

Hello. I've been thinking about taking antidepressants prescribed to me for a while, but too scared of its side effects. Anyone had any bad side effects? How long did it take to settle in? Especially with sertraline? I'm in two minds whether I should go down this route, but don't know what else to do if I don't! I'm spending hundreds on therapy. CBT didn't really work for me. TIA.

I started sertraline on Friday, so this is day 3. I've been taking them early evening and they've made me feel a little odd, but then I was feeling pretty odd anyway so who knows if it's side effects or not?!

I was warned to expect headaches. I've not looked at the leaflet as those things are always scary. I've been told to expect them to take a couple of weeks before they start to work.

I figured potential side effects would worth it if they helped me feel better.

I hope things improve for you soon

Lots on line about horrible side effects. But I merely felt a bit dozy and had the occasional wave of nausea. Started on 25 mg. I think people tend to post if they are having trouble and people who don't get side effects don't say much?
Been on it a few weeks now, no issues, take it in the morning with food so it doesn't make me feel sick.
Definitely less anxious and my mood is better so far so definitely worth it for me.
Try it,if you feel awful you don't have to keep taking it. Hope you find something that helps.

I've just started them yesterday morning. I've always taken citalopram when needed in the past but sertraline is better because I'm breastfeeding so I feel guilty about that.
I was told about headaches ...I just feel a bit odd and spaced out tbh, I've felt like shit for a while anyway. I did have awful diarrhoea 2 hours after I took the first one, possibly just coincide. What side effects are you worried about?

I started sertraline a month ago and felt pretty much instantly better. No side effects to speak of really. Hope it's the same for you, op!

@Joyofscreamingjoy I stupidly read the leaflet and that freaked me out. Have spotted an old post also about this and worry about the side effects others have. I'm worried about weight gain, being dippy and spaced out and not being able to drive or drink with it. I know many do and are fine. But it's my paranoia as well. I also can't help but feel I've failed if I start taking them. I've been trying to fix myself without them for the last year and most of the time I'm fine. But lately I've been feeling shit again and I know I could be a better mother/person. I'm just not liking myself and my life lately so am revisiting this option again.

I've started to wonder if my family are better without me. I wouldn't say I'm 'suicidal', but I've been having thoughts on what it would look like and I can't help but think everyone will be just fine without me once they get over the initial shock. But I think they'd be better off as I'm not around to make my children cry/scream at them.

Have you got anyone with you who you can talk to about how you are feeling? If you do not feel that you can keep yourself safe tonight go to A&E. Otherwise make an urgent appointment with your GP in the morning.

Have you started the ADs yet? Some can make you feel this way, but then so can depression. I've felt this way andcknow how scary these thoughts can be. ADs saved my life and I never had any bad side effects from them. Certainly the benefits outweighed any side effects.

Aw it can be scary, even the leaflets for paracetamol are scary. I'll try to explain what I mean by spaced out - I've been like a coiled spring for a long time and now I feel more 'zen' & chilled. I appreciate it may just be knowing the tablets will work in time & ive taken the first step again & it helped to let it all out to the HV & DR as I've really been struggling. A small amount of the weight has lifted from me and I feel like I have space to breathe again. I didn't even think twice on driving so not that kind of out of it 🙂