Venting gonna start taking medication, general vent

[ssUser34]

I was at the doctor yesterday. I was handing in a depression test survey and talked to her about how I've been feeling shit in general, she said I have moderate depression and prescribed me escitalopram. I'm really glad I got a prescription and really hope it helps, cause lately I have absolutely no energy for anything. School, socialising, simple tasks, everything is draining.

I sent a message to one of the girls in my friendgroup that I feel most comfortable with explaining that I cant really handle being with them at school and that group settings are very draining for me, and told her that it takes me 10 times more energy to engage with others than it would for a normal person. I really hope she understands and maybe tries to subtly tell the others that I need some space.

I don't want to make a big thing out of it and draw attention to myself but I also want at least someone to know how I'm feeling cause it's even worse trying to mask it all. I've been trying my best but when everyone I'm with is unserious and laughing all the time while I'm genuinely screaming inside is very tiring. I'm not sure how to let them know that hey please be considerate of me as I'm going through a hard time without it making things awkward, that's why I'm deciding to take a bit of distance from my friends. Hopefully I feel better after a few weeks and can function normally around them again.

If anyone has any experience with taking escitalopram and it's effects feel free to share, I was a little scared at first but my mom told me it helped her a lot at a time where she was taking it, though from what I know it can make you feel worse the first 2 weeks.

 

[nitritegirl]

yes escitalopeam is an ssri so the first one or two weeks will be really harsh, may even increase suicidality. for me, i took escitalopram like 2 years ago, so i don't remember much, though i didn't feel those effects too harshly. i only remember that i ate much less during that period and ended up losing a lot of weight. but i don't remember it improving my humor by a lot. of course it affects everyone differently, i've changed medication 5+ times now.

and i'm sorry for what you're going through, i also suffer a lot with social stuff and all, so school/university and all is very harsh on me too

 

[ben_]

I don't have experience with that particular meds. But in general you can feel less like shit if you start very slow. That's what I did with sertraline, and it was pretty easy. At some point I felt some negative effects, so I slowed down even more. I simply split that tablets and I think I started with only 1/8.

I really hope she understands and maybe tries to subtly tell the others that I need some space.

Are you hoping that your friends gossip about you? I've been hoping for the same ) .. Btw the pills kinda make it easier I guess. Idk it just feels like when it's this "official", people can somehow understand it easier.

 

[perishsong]

Personally I didn't benefit much from escitalopram, but I learned the hard way not to mix SSRIs with alcohol. My girlfriend was on it and she felt emotionally numb.

It sure takes several weeks for psych meds to kick in. You noticed any changes yet?

 

[charlavail]

meds are trial and error. stay hopeful, be aware that the first few weeks on ANY med will suck until your body gets used to it, and also it might not work and you might need to try something else. I had to try 7 or 8 different meds before I got put on a mood stabilizer and finally something is working. so don't give up hope just take it one day at a time!