Should I take antidepressants?

[Canyoukickit]

Help ladies.
Are the side effects of AD’s really that bad? 9 years of PND and I’ve managed to combat most of toughest times with counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy. I’m on a massive low at the moment, it’s been getting worse since Xmas and I’m not being the best parent I could be :(
Hubby works away most of the time and my mum-guilts are killing me. I want to give my kids the best version of me and I’ve realised I can’t do this all on my own so think a trip to my GP is required, but I’m terrified of the side effects.
GP wanted to prescribe fluoxetine a few years ago so may offer the same again.

Does it help with the lows? I honestly feel like I’m grieving for someone, there’s a deep pain and I can’t shake it :(

Hello, I'm so sorry you are suffering. I really sympathise about feeling like you are grieving. I gad something similar. For me, ADs have been a lifesaver and allowed me to get my life back. The first time I took them side effects were minimal and they worked very fast. The second time was slower & tougher. However, both times benefits vastly outweighed the side effects and long term I don't notice any SE at all.
There are lots of threads on this subject here so worth taking a look - it seems that ADs don't work for everyone, but that they can be immensely beneficial to many. There's lots of hand holding available for coping with side effects too if you decide to give them a go. X

OP, I’d strongly advise you to go back to your GP and see if they will prescribe for you.
Antidepressants take a few weeks to work, so don’t give up if you don’t see immediate benefit. The side effects are worst in the first couple of weeks too, but usually settle thereafter.
Antidepressants are very individual- there are many different ones, and not all work for all patients. You may need to try a different one if the first one doesn’t help after a fair length of trial. But as others will tell you, they can be lifesaving and life changing. I think you’ve struggled on alone long enough without improvement, don’t you? Time for some professional help. Best wishes for a much happier new you in a few months’ time, OP!