[deartick21]

I was recently prescribed leaxpro for depression but I am really scared to take it. I have avoided antidepressants, always opting for anti anxiety meds and sleeping pills instead. I feel like I am giving up if I take them, and I am also scared they will make me feel worse.... Any advice?

Hi deartick21, I've had that same problem for many years. I also take an anti anxiety pill for sleep, and low dose seroquel. I was recently given lexapro. I shouldn't have stopped taking it again. It had a few side effects, but it got better after a few weeks. Physically it's possible you might feel a little worse for a week or so but it is one of the better known ones for having few side effects. It is difficult to try something you aren't sure of that will help, but anxiety pills and sleeping pills do not help for depression, and can make depression worse. I can't tell you what to do, but I know it lifted my depression and just today I realize I better take them again, because after quitting for a few weeks I am very depressed again. They did help somewhat. They don't make you happy, but keep you from being in that dark hole and wanting to give up totally. Taking an antidepressant does not mean you are giving up, it means you need to see if it helps you. Think about giving them a try for at least 4 weeks, otherwise you wont know if they are helping. I didn't feel any bad withdrawal from them, so this particular med is a good one to give a go at. I hope you keep posting and let us know how you are doing and what you decide. Best wishes and hugs to you

[Altered Moment]

I wouldn't think of it at all as giving up. There is some reason it was prescribed to you. Depression is a very difficult thing to overcome. We need lots of help and for many meds are a part of the solution but only a part.

I have been taking them for twenty years. The one I am currently on is working very well. In the past I have had mixed results, some work, others don't, and sometimes they quit working. I am very lucky as far as side effects and withdrawal symptoms. The only way to know is try it for 4 to 6 weeks and see if it works. Usually people get over the side effects if there are any. Some people the side effects are unbearable and they have to quit and try another. The med game is not a fun one for many of us but some people try one and it works great for a very long time.

Its a tough decision and I think a large part of it is accepting that if I have to take this little pill I am admitting at a deep level something is wrong. We do not want to admit that and it is a process. SSRI's and SSNRI's are not miracle drugs but they do help many people. They have draw backs like any med. Lexapro is an SSRI. In the med section and on the internet in general you will read more about problems than successes. People who are doing fine on them don't feel a need to go on the net and post how good they are doing with them. Negative feedback is always more prevalent in anything. It is just how we are wired.