scared to go on antidepressants

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  • Synamin
    Synamin Posts: 80 Member
    I've worked hard to lose weight and I'm really proud of my accomplishments (I lost 7 llbs and 5 inches off my waist). I suffer from panic disorder and yesterday I almost did something drastic which is why the doctors want to put me on antidepressants. I've had other types of therapy without any drugs so I want to do that again nut after yesterday's events the doctors think antidepressants will be a good idea. But I'm really scared of the side effects! And I know my mental health is more important but I don't want all my hard work undone.

    Can anyone provide advice or personal experiences/tips? Thanks!

    Don't be scared to do exactly what your doctor says you need to do in order to get healthy. Be super honest with him/her about what happened and also your concerns about weight gain. If you were hospitalized due to a mental health problem then gaining weight from treatment is really the least of your worries right now. Panic disorders don't usually cause people to self harm or make impulsive, destructive choices. Coming here for medical advice isn't going to help you, even though everyone here genuinely want to help, they don't really have the knowledge or resources to do so. Take as an example, people suggesting certain specific antidepressants that will likely be a very bad idea for some people because they can trigger mania.

    I wish you the very best, go get yourself healthy, please!
  • Elsie_Brownraisin
    Elsie_Brownraisin Posts: 786 Member
    I've been on a range of antidepressants and some caused weight loss (prozac and venlafaxine) and some weight gain (mirtazipine); it's best worth speaking to your GP. I know some have more side effects than others and they will know your medical history and what is best.

    I did have a chart somewhere that compared medications, but I've googled and found the closest thing below, and as someone also has commented, Mind has a really useful website.

    http://www.southstaffsandshropshealthcareft.nhs.uk/Services/Medicines-Management-and-Pharmacy/Default/Useful-Tools/docs/MMP-Handy-Chart-October-2011-V2.aspx

    Pages 12-13 cover anxiety, 20-22 depression and 26-27 panic and it catogorises side effects into drowsiness, weight gain, nausea, dry mouth/vision and sexual problems and then scores them on how common they are. I didn't find the weight side effects as problematic as others I've encountered.

    Just to stress again, you should discuss this with a health professional and some of these medications are not suitable for all (including me, as it turns out). Have you been referred to a psychiatrist?


    Hope things improve for you soon.

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