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Mental health

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Is there an antidepressant that doesn’t make you worse to start with ?

4 replies

Countrystroll · 28/06/2026 12:09

My mum is 78 years old and going through a mental health crisis. Primarily brought on by my dad’s cancer diagnosis which has now been changed to terminal. She has several times in her life where she has had to take an antidepressant ( Sertraline and Citalopram) but during the initial 2 months she has become so poorly and manic before they start to work. This time she feels she can’t go through this. Her GP has prescribed her a short course of diazepam but obviously this is only a short term fix to try and help her sleep and eat. She has already lost lots of weight which she can’t afford to do. Years a go she took dosalupin which she coped with well but SSRI make her so ill to start with I’m not sure she can cope as my dad needs her. Any suggests please. As in turn my mental health is taking a nose dive too.

OP posts:
OriginalSkang · 28/06/2026 12:10

I found the start up on Vortioextine much easier than Sertraline and Citalopram

Trumptontown · 28/06/2026 12:18

If SSRIs have caused her to experience mania then she should be referred to a psychiatrist for oversight of medication. SSRIs are known to trigger mania in some people with bipolar disorder.

Lizzbear · 28/06/2026 12:19

OriginalSkang · 28/06/2026 12:10

I found the start up on Vortioextine much easier than Sertraline and Citalopram

Hi. Just wanted to ask you how you find being on vortioxetine. I’m on my first week 10 days if taking it, after being on sertraline.
I was in 10mg but felt really overtired on that. I’ve gone down to 5 and it seems better.
Are you finding it more helpful than other ssris?

Lizzbear · 28/06/2026 12:20

Sorry to hijack your thread op!

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