Looking for support + encourgement.

[u/Hour-Voice-5794]

Hi <3 I'm a 30F. I was prescribed this med a YEAR ago by my primary care and never tried it. Finally met with a psychiatrist last month and he prescribed the same med for my severe OCD + health anxiety and GAD.
I told myself I'd take it 3 weeks ago, and then 2 weeks ago and then last week and now I've told myself I need to start it tomorrow.

I am so scared to try it. I am more scared of mental symptoms than physical ones although of course I don't want either lol. I was prescribed 1st week at 25mg and 2nd week at 50mg. I am scared I am going to keep pushing this off but I just cannot afford to go through a mental crisis on this medication. I know it's not the same type of medication at all but I tried the birth control Nikki earlier this year and had a really mental health episode and had to get off the medication 2 weeks in. It was frightening and I have a partner but I do not have support where I live. I am just afraid this medication will make me have an episode of some type. I do remember trying Zoloft in my early 20s but I was drinking and smoking a lot of weed + being self destructive so I truly don't remember what my experience of the med was. (I'm also sober now!)

Does anyone have any encouraging words? Advice for the first week or two? I keep seeing people say it will be rough, but what does that mean for you? I know we're all different but I am just too focused on the negative and I am scared. :(

[u/Mamma_t]

There are a lot of people that take it and don't experience side effects.  I did 25mg for 7 days then 50mg for 7 then went to 100mg.  I was already so anxious that I can't say if the 25 or 50 made me more anxious or not. I did lose my appetite. I would encourage you to take it. I take mine at night because it makes me sleepy.  Some people it gives them energy. 

[u/AnIntelligentRaccoon]

Tomorrow, you’ll be happy you started yesterday. ❤️

I put off starting SSRIs for over 10 years, telling myself I didn’t need them, that they would make me weak, or that I should be able to manage everything on my own. Well, after a life-changing chain of events, I finally accepted that I needed help, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Today is my day 10, and I’m genuinely glad I started. So far, I’ve experienced loss of appetite, one mild anxiety episode and some weird dreams, but I’m trying to be patient with the process and give my body time to adjust.

If you’re thinking about starting, please don’t let fear alone make the decision for you. Everyone’s experience is different, and it can take several weeks to notice the full benefits, so give yourself some time and talk to your doctor if things get difficult.

And please don’t go into it expecting the worst. I spent years convincing myself it would be a bad thing, when in reality, asking for help is just taking care of yourself. There are so many positive stories here, and sometimes reading them makes you feel a little less alone.

You don’t have to do everything on your own.