Would you recommend antidepressants?

[Ella1980]

Since a horrific divorce in 2014 I have suffered from health anxiety. This wasn't helped by the fact that my mum was diagnosed with cancer last year which came as a total shock.
If I get any minor ailment I am convinced it is something serious or it's because I have something serious I don't yet know about.
I have had counselling which I thought helped but it's got really bad again. My sleep is terrible.
Dr has suggested Sertraline but I'm not so sure?
Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

Yes I recommend them. It's a minefield finding one to work for you.
Sorry about your DM I hope she recovers.

Sent PM

I have health anxiety. I've been on escitalopram for almost nine weeks. Everyone is different so what works for one might not for another. It has helped my depression, although I am more anxious than depressed really.
The anxiety is a bit better but I'm going on a CBT worry workshop to help with the worrying and I've arranged private counselling to help me with the health anxiety.
I think there's an antidepressant that is more suitable for health anxiety but it's not an SSRI...it's one of those that are more sedating. Can't remember the name, sorry but it's mitz...something.
My GP suggested Sertraline when I complained about mine taking a long time to work.

Yes they saved my life

Yes, if you can find the right one and tolerate the potential side effects.

Fluoxetine helped me out of a terrible depression but caused me sexual dysfunction (as did all the other I tried*)

Mirtazapine was the only one that didn't cause sexual dysfunction and was a great drug to help manage my anxiety, however did nothing for my depression and negatively impacted my ability to perform at work, limiting my sharp thinking and information processing ability.

Currently not on any meds, but am suffering with anxiety again and am considering what route to take.