Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 64 posts

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#11

Post by throwaway837521 »

To set the stage.. except the bathing and teeth thing, I'm you, just 10 years older. I didn't want the medicine. I did therapy, worked out, ran a bunch, I look like I go to the gym, I don't smoke or drink, all of the typical stuff you read as alternatives. I have 2 kids, solid marriage, CEO of a company, loving parents, no issues outside of my own head.

But my life has been out of control for years.

I started 20mg escitalopram three months ago and it changed my life. I'm no longer scared of leaving my house. I'm more focused and get tasks done quickly. A lot of my lockup moments in business and life was over analyzing everything endlessly which I was told a OCD based anxiety. Now making decisions is a quick process. My kids don't have to worry that I'm not joining them in fun on the weekends. I'm not chronically tired. I don't feel grey, or zombie, or anything else you may have read. I feel me again.

Try it. Take it for 60 days and see. You can always get off of it.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#12

Post by tsol »

It's different for everyone. I can't stress that enough. But for me, it's amazing. It's like a silver bullet. It literally makes me happy. I know people say it's artificial happiness, etc etc but it really legitimately allows me to be happy. My stress levels go way down, and my self discipline increases. It doesn't turn me to a zombie-- I was a zombie before compared to now. Always distracted and held behind by my anxiety and difficulties expressing myself.

I get why people do drugs-- they make people feel good instead of bad. But this stuff feels like a cheat code. It makes me feel good all of the time. From the perspective of a my old depressed self, feeling neurotypical like this is like being high all the time. I should also state I've only been on it about 6 months, so long term experience is to be seen.

There are also other options, if you're willing to try. Exercise of course can be a big help. Cold showers totally eliminate my depression as well. Wim Hof breathing was life changing in terms of anxiety, though I would never have in a million years thought that a breathing exercise could help me. There are some supplements, like Saffron and Kanna, out there than can help as well. I use some of these, and together they enormous difference.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#14

Post by xupybd »

aidepast wrote: post #6
xupybd wrote: post #4

You do have other options such as therapy. I would recommend going that route if you can. If you can't, or that doesn't work, medication can be a good way to dig you out of this situation. It sounds like your situation is bad enough to warrant some risks.

I did see a counselor for about 6 months, and I was kicked out in June, as they believed I required a higher level of care, such as an intensive outpatient program and/or an SSRI. I've attempted to read books on OCD. I've attempted Exposure-Response Prevention on my own with limited success. I reach a wall. I don't want to experience the seemingly endless stress that I'd endure from the most significant exposures and…

Keep trying things. You can beat this and find out the solution that works for you.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#15

Post by ab-dm »

tsol wrote: post #12

It's different for everyone. I can't stress that enough. But for me, it's amazing. It's like a silver bullet. It literally makes me happy. I know people say it's artificial happiness, etc etc but it really legitimately allows me to be happy. My stress levels go way down, and my self discipline increases. It doesn't turn me to a zombie-- I was a zombie before compared to now. Always distracted and held behind by my an…

Do you mind me asking what you were like before?

I’ve had generalised anxiety disorder for ~12 years and have kept it manageable using some of the techniques you’ve described (breathing and meditation being the main two) however this year has brought some challenges that has really ramped it up and is now causing major issues that I’m struggling to manage.

My doctor was happy to prescribe some for me, but I’m scared as hell about starting them. Side affects aside, getting off them sounds like it can be a nightmare.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#16

Post by kdtop »

caseyf wrote: post #13

I don't have anything negative to say about escitalopram at all (it helps me, no drawbacks for me) but I do want to point out that 20mg is not the recommended starting dose.

If someone is very nervous about the Rx, they can be started at 5 mg to minimize potential side effects.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#17

Post by ab-dm »

throwaway837521 wrote: post #11

To set the stage.. except the bathing and teeth thing, I'm you, just 10 years older. I didn't want the medicine. I did therapy, worked out, ran a bunch, I look like I go to the gym, I don't smoke or drink, all of the typical stuff you read as alternatives. I have 2 kids, solid marriage, CEO of a company, loving parents, no issues outside of my own head. But my life has been out of control for years. I started 20mg es…

How did you find the first month? I’m terrified of starting as I’ve read that the side effects can render you unable to do anything for weeks.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#18

Post by coffee_beqn »

20mg is a high starting dose. I’m on 10mg for anxiety (and maybe depression) and it has worked very well. The first few weeks were fairly physically bad but since then I have noticed minimal side effects. It sounds like you are a “zombie” right now. I haven’t noticed any mental decline and my motivation is much better since Im not stuck in anxiety loops. I’ve gone back to the gym, use less recreational drugs and get more done (important as a dad) since going on them.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#19

Post by the_only_law »

Nothing.

I was put on them pretty young, along with a few other things. I don't remember much different in my day to day. I don't get why I was diagnosed with depression at the time, as I was an angry and ambitious kid, not a depressed one. It wouldn't be until years later I felt anything resembling depression and it certainly was much different than what I felt in my pre teen/teen years.

They did screw me out of some oppurtunities later on, which sucked at the time I guess, but it worked out well in the end.

Funny, I didn't learn about he nasty side effects till I was off them for years, And I would certainly prefer something else nowadays.

Re: Ask HN: What is your experience with SSRIs?

#20

Post by aidepast »

caseyf wrote: post #13

I don't have anything negative to say about escitalopram at all (it helps me, no drawbacks for me) but I do want to point out that 20mg is not the recommended starting dose.

My insurance potentially would not cover 10mg, so I'd split the 20mg tablets to 10mg per day for the first week, I suppose.

SSRIs don't seem to treat OCD at low doses, so they want me to take 20mg from the beginning.

Post reply on HN