Wow, sounds like a miracle cure for depression! I have been terrified of trying medication, it's the one thing I haven't tried due to hearing so many horror stories. Can I ask how was coming off it like? Were you taking it for only depression or for other issues as well? What were the side effects that made it so unbearable? Is it able to silence those loud constant negative thoughts and feelings? It doesn't sound like it numbed you, it sounds like you were genuinely happy. I can't imagine what that's like but it sounds wonderful! Sorry for the questions, you don't have to answer them if you don't want to :)
I'd consider it to be so.
I wouldn't listen to any horror stories, I've been taking them on/off since I was 14 and while some don't feel great, there's others to try. I know that there can be stigma behind taking them - but it's nothing to be embarrassed by at all. In 2017-2018, 7.3m people in the UK (17% of our adult population), had dispensed antidepressants. They can be lifesavers for a lot of people.
Coming off of Sertraline was agitating, and I'd say that for a while I was fine, after 2-3 weeks I noticed that I was a lot quieter, sometimes too nervous to speak to people and I was as unsure about just starting conversations as I was prior to Sertraline. This isn't always the case, I have friends who take them temporarily, then feel as though they want to stop. I don't mind having them though. I wasn't having as much fun and didn't want to go out anymore. I resumed smoking weed nightly as an escape which obviously didn't help.
My main side effect was insomnia - I didn't sleep, but for that my doc gave me Ambien (in the UK just called Zolpidem) at my request - typically they'd offer Zopiclone. I just found Ambien fun and effective, but any nights I didn't take it my mind would be racing with thoughts, but at least not negative ones. Problem with this is that I worked nights so it was even more difficult to sleep during the day. And, as you know, going with little to no sleep can make you crazy.
I was taking it for severe depression and anxiety, and while exploring issues with my attention with my regular GP at the time. They suspected depression as the cause. It did help with that too, actually. But I get ADHD meds now that help that more so.
Note that I've always had issues with insomnia, it was just particularly annoying not sleeping. Oh - and my body was active, I had a lot of energy, so I just kept moving about instead of staying still.
It also made me eat a lot less, so keep in mind if that could be a bad thing for you. For some people they eat more. I liked the fact though.
I found that it reduces the amount of time I dealt with loud thoughts, and emotions are pretty much brought lower. Different ones seem to promote different moods.
Remember that to a certain extend all thoughts are normal - completely blocking them won't help, particularly longer term.
It was wonderful, for the first time in my life, I felt normal. Happy. Like a leader, and as though not everything was as dark as it can seem. Really motivated me to make something of myself and work hard.
Some can dull you emotionally, but at that point it's just not the one for you. It's not about "killing off your personality", it's about finding something that appropriately fits your needs. Personally, I found my first two: Prozac (Fluoxetine) and Citalopram (Celexa) made me feel bored and tired - so not everything is going to be a fix. Some people find these ones their personal favourites.
But after my experience with Sertraline, I've attempted to use it many times again, and it can be super subtle at first. It's made me continue using antis because I know their potential :)
Remember doctors can have discussions with you - if a particular one sounds beneficial, you can request it with your reasoning. I know that Sertraline is often known to be one of (if not the) most effective for most people.
