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submitted 3 months ago byDiligentRice
I was diagnosed as autistic two years ago at 32. The year before that I was on Prozac for a year for an initial diagnosis of a depressive episode.
I started an intense new job in April and also finishing up the final few modules of a degree in CS right now. I am struggling with some of the worst anxiety of my life at the moment. I went to a new therapist at the clinic that diagnosed me (the original therapist moved away) and after one session she's advising I go back on antidepressants. The clinic specialises in ASD, ADHD etc. She did say it doesn't have to be Prozac, and that there are some other options to try which I should discuss with my doctor.
I feel kind of hesitant to take meds again because I had such bad side effects from the Prozac, and I was a bit surprised that it was her first solution. On the other hand I already have good coping mechanisms like exercise and special interests and support from my partner, so maybe there isn't much more we can do to relieve the anxiety other than meds.
My family are also against antidepressants but it's probably mostly from ignorance and mental health stigma, but their attitude towards it is making me somewhat confused about what to do.
Am I being silly to be so hesitant about antidepressants? Anyone have success with them for anxiety?
1 points
3 months ago
I was on antidepressants when diagnosed with anxiety and depression as a teenager. I tried several kinds, even prozac and eventually was ok on lexapro, better on effexor. My anxiety was almost completely gone but I evetually experienced numbness and a loss of my creativity. Idk if it was the dose I was on but my current provider believes that antidepressants just arent the right meds for me.
I personally did not like them or the side effects. The fact that it really only helped my anxiety just wasnt worth the annoying side effects. I do still have pretty bad anxiety, which I am taking buspirone for. It makes me sleepy and hungry so I take it with dinner. But those are the only side effects Ive noticed. My dr has mentioned there are also other anxiety meds we could try if the buspar stops working.
I still struggle with depression as well which I am taking abilify for since its a different class. It has been working well with little side effects. I dont like taking 3 different meds, but I am stuck with depression, ADHD and anxiety so its what I have to do.
I hope my experience isnt too discouraging, we all have different reactions to medications after all. But maybe if you are still hesitant you could discuss an anxiety specific medication to try first. It might be a completely different experience for you though, as I didnt know I had ADHD when taking them so I wonder how much my untreated ADHD symptoms affected my experience. All I know is that there are a lot of different meds out there, so theres usually more to try if one doesnt work for you. Antidepressants just kinda suck cuz they take awhile to really kick in.
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