First time taking antidepressants

[Kirika_M]

Hello/ good afternoon, I don't know if I'm just paranoid or that its normal to feel like that and Im confused. Its my first time using antidepressants that i was prescribed to on Friday because he says I might have mild depression. My psychiatrist says to start me off with a very low dosage and this is my 4th day of taking it but I read that effects will start within a few weeks. Nothing happened until last night when I was having a headache and my stomach suddenly felt so tense but I had nothing to be nervous for at that time but I couldn't calm down at all, overtime it subsided bit out of sudden it will just come back again. And again, it might have been paranoia but I don't know if I'm just overthinking things. I'm just really worried that no one will believe me for repeating the same thing if I keep saying that I feel too anxious to do easy tasks or I can't explain why I can't do anything.

[Helen72]

Hi Kirika,

You should talk to your psychiatrist - he/she might be able to tell you what to expect. It might be that waiting for an effect, you're focussing a bit too much and increasing your anxiety.

But talk to your psych - can you?

Helen

[Grunt]

Hi Kirika,

Based on my experience, it can take a few weeks before any benefits of prescription medication become apparent. Given that it has only been a few days since you started this medication it's likely you may be putting some unrealistic expectations on both the medication and yourself which is causing some extra anxiety.

As Helen said, contact your psychiatrist if you're feeling uncomfortable - they are best suited to give advice on your particular situation.

Give your new medication a few weeks to do its thing and in the meantime, ride out those waves of anxiety if you can. I understand how terrible they can be, especially if you'e never really experienced this type of thing before - I've always found reading a book for 10-15 minutes helps calm me down.

[blondguy]

Hi Kirika M and good on you for having the courage to post too!

Helen72 above has posted helpful support about asking your doc with any questions you have in these early stages of taking even a small dose of an antidepressant. I understand your situation as I felt the same when I started on my AD's too

Day 4 is still still very early KirikaM...These meds can take some time to 'kick in'

You mentioned in your post that you have 'read' about the side effects occurring in a few weeks....Were you referring to reading Google information?

Good on you for being so proactive with your health KirakaM

any questions are always welcome too 🙂

Paul

[Kirika_M]

Hello blondguy, when I got the medication the person asked if it is my first time using AD and then she handed me these pages on what's its contents, side effects and so on about the medication. I will go and ask today. Thank you

[Kirika_M]

Hello Helen72, yes I will try and contact him. Thank you for your advice.

[Kirika_M]

Hello Grunt, thank you for your advice and I will try.

[geoff]

Hello Kirika, the brochures that come with the packet of ADs need to list all the possible side-effects that may happen, they do this for legal reasons, but it doesn't necessarily mean you or anyone else will suffer from them, and if you google the AD the same will also happen.

The doctor and pharmacist say that you would know if the AD is working in six weeks time, and for some people, it may work much earlier, then it may not work for other people.

It would be interesting to know how you go.

Geoff.

[Helen72]

No worries. Let me know how it goes.

Helen