[BETosca]

Okay. This might be painfully obvious and a really silly question but I will just jump in and ask anyway:

When you start an SSRI, does the positive effect (assuming it's the right SSRI for you) suddenly "click" in and all is well, or, do you feel the benefit slowly?

I have been on 10 mg Lexapro for 10 days now, for both major depression and GAD. Before starting it, the anxiety in particular was choking me. No panic attacks, but it was relentless worry. Now, nine days on meds, and the anxiety has let up to a large extent (though not completely). I'm not crying every day. I have managed without Ativan for three days in a row. But, I am still sad. I am still lacking energy and motivation, but I can get the basics done. I feel...flat...but not in agony any more.

I know that yes, Lexapro is one of the ones that can kick in earlier but that it can still take the usual 6-8 weeks. Is the fact that I'm doing somewhat better a good sign? Will I continue to slowly feel better and better, or is this as good as it gets? (Yes, I am asking you all to pull out your crystal balls, ha.) Or, will there be a day where I suddenly realize, wow, I feel like my old self again, out of the blue?

I know- I should just ride it out and be patient. But patience has never been my strong suit, LOL. Just curious to know others' experiences...

Thanks

[iamtwilight]

Is the fact that I'm doing somewhat better a good sign?

yes.

Will I continue to slowly feel better and better, or is this as good as it gets? (Yes, I am asking you all to pull out your crystal balls, ha.) Or, will there be a day where I suddenly realize, wow, I feel like my old self again, out of the blue?

you won't really notice it. one day, you might look back though, and say, "wow, i'm doing good!" - you may never be the same again - but that is not necessarily a bad thing!

if you can get the basics done, that is definitely a good thing. lexapro is doing its work. now you can slowly start improving your life, and i think that is why they give us those meds. =)

i took lexapro for about 3 or 4 months, about 9 months altogether but very irregularly. then later on i took celexa for 6 months, now i'm ok, slowly working on stuff, setting myself goals.. basically just getting there =)

best of luck to you!

[splitimage]

I'm on both Effexor and Celexa. I started on Effexor first. It was probably 2-3 weeks before I started noticing little things. For me it's always animals if I notice dogs playing and smile at it, I know my mood's good. After about 6 weeks on it, I suddenly realized I wasn't suicidal anymore and my urges to self injure were less. It got me to the point where talk therapy could really be effective.

The fact that you're already feeling a bit better is definitely a good sign.

--splitimage

[BETosca]

Thank you for your replies.

I am being cautiously optimistic. I went for 3 days without really needing Ativan, and today I ended up taking one. I don't do well alone. Dh is at work, the kids at school (I'm a SAHM). Mornings are the worst for me, and then the day tends to get slowly better. Two steps forward, one step back...

I shall continue to *try* to be patient. It's only day 12, after all. I can see myself inching along, though I want to be there at my old self already!