People on antidepressants: how long did it take to see a difference?

[MiseryWithoutCompany]

The side-effects alone migut be unbearable when you've had them for years.

The biggest kicker of them all were the brainzaps.

 

[clown_17]

For the only antidepressant that worked it took about 4 weeks to feel something and 3 months for full effect. I've had other antidepressants that made me feel an artificial happiness immediately (not an easing of pain just fake happiness) and they'd always stop working or make me feel worse. So gradual is better.

Antipsychotics changed my life more than any antidepressant could of. Mine started working instantly but the side effects only went away after 2 months, and it took about that long to see benefits.

Also on the topic of treatment resistant depression: stimulants. Stimulants can be a good alternative to antidepressants if you've tried many and they haven't worked. Vyvanse helps not just dull my mood but actually makes it better

 

[H0110W]

Anyone have experience with Effexor also known as Venlafaxine? Holy shit I think this stuff makes me incredibly sleepy. Last 3 days I've taken it, at 7PM I was so damn sleepy. The other day I was coming back from work and I felt incredibly sleepy, could barely keep my eyes open while driving (dangerous!). I lied down into bed and fell asleep immediately, it was 7PM and woke up the next day at 7AM, skipped lunch and everything and wasn't even hungry in the morning. Yesterday I got sleepy at 6PM and woke up at 11, ate something and then went to bed again, woke up at 10AM.

When it comes to my mood, so far I haven't noticed any improvement, I just feel a bit weird, like I'm sedated \ sleepy. I heard it takes around 3 weeks to a month to have an effect on mood...

On the other hand, Xanax works short term. When I feel really stressed I pop one, and I go from feeling angry and anxious to just feeling "meh, whatever". Definitely an improvement.

 

[MiseryWithoutCompany]

Anyone have experience with Effexor also known as Venlafaxine?

Ya. Have been taking it for the better part of ten years so far... You'll definitely be sleepy, that's for sure. Haven't shaken that side-effect yet, though there is a chance that it might not be the meds for my case...

The best way to describe it as a medicine, is passive. While not every ned works the same for everyone in the anti-depressant field, it feels the least offensive? Personally it makes emotions a lot less burdensome and allows for clear headed thoughts, in contrast to the other medicines. Unsure of what current dosage though since it's been changed earlier a few months back.

The sleepiness though... depending on the dosage or person, it might eliminate appetite for good? Or maybe the exhaustion chronically felt just rearranges priorities so that sleep always comes first even before food. Own personal sleep hours typically range from 12 to 16 hours a day (though it's been like this for all my life so might be a single instance case). Highest dosage experienced had me at around 90lbs back in 2012...

 

[deleted]

Between 2 weeks and 5 weeks, but after a while nothing had taken effect, I hope good luck doesn't happen to you.

 

[whywere]

Hi! When I started out they put me on Zoloft and within 1 day suicide thoughts went through the roof and I called and was told to stop taking them. then they put me on Celexa, this was in 2013, and I have been on it ever since.

I can really tell if I miss a day because for what ever reason, everything seems to get messed up and I get way, way down in my mood. I can then take a Celexa and after like a hour or so, things seem to come back together.

Now, like with all drugs, they may work, may not, or the whole group of drugs, like in this case antidepressants, may not do a thing for someone.

I liken it to most aspects of life where it is a toss of the dice.

My wish for all the folks on SS is to find their place in the sun and to have the deep down satisfaction that they find happiness and fulfillment.

Walter