I was very reluctant to start AD treatment, but when my doctor and my T continued to recommend it, I had to listen. My T didn't usually recommend meds for depression, but he thought they'd really help me, if we could find the right drug and dosage.

I've been on Effexor for 8 months now and it's made a big difference, along with fairly intensive therapy. Without it, I simply didn't have the energy to do the things that I know can make depression better. Exercise was out of the question before - I could barely get through a day at school. Socializing and connecting with friends was the last things I wanted drag myself out of the house to do. Now I can do those things and routinely do.

I don't intend to stay on them forever, but I'll be on them for a while longer. I'm okay with that, given how I felt before.