anxious about starting antidepressants

[SKA]

Hi guys,

I've been prescribed an SSRI for my depression, but im scared about things like hair loss... has anyone got any insight to this? ive been online looking at stuff and its made me scared and i dont have anyone to talk to in my life about this. THANKS ❤️

[geoff]

hello SKA, I have been taking an SSRI AD for over 20 years, but every couple of weeks I still have to give myself a hair cut, so in other words I haven't lost any hair.
I'm not quite sure where you have read this although I have googled it and it does mention different comments, however what people read on the net doesn't necessarily mean it's going to happen with you, but unfortunately they take this advice as gospel.
What I would do is do what your doctor has suggested and take SSRI AD's and if your hair begins to fall out then contact your doctor, however my GP never ever mentioned that I could loss any hair, and if one or two pieces of hair falls out when you are combing your hair, that doesn't mean that you're lossing hair, because this naturally happens.
I would not try and worry about it, because the net has to mention everything that could happen for legal reasons. Geoff.

[Kazzl]

Hi SKA, welcome to the forum. Starting on any medication can be scary and everyone worries about possible side effects and whether it will work for them. So what you're feeling is completely understandable. However in most cases our fears aren't realised and the medications can make us feel much better.

A couple of things to be aware of - the effects won't be instantaneous. Most ADs will take a little while to kick in, so be patient. Also, occasionally the first AD prescribed turns out to be ineffective and we need to try a different one. Your doctor will be used to this and will help you find the one that's right for you. So, if you don't feel any improvement, or if you get side effects or feel worse, make sure you go back to your doc straight away.

I've not seen hair loss in anyone I know on an AD. I have seen 'brain fog', irritability and feeling numb. But all those disappeared with a change in AD. For me, the one I am on has caused no problems at all, from the beginning.

I hope this one works for you and you start to feel much better soon.

Best wishes

Kaz