Chief is correct. I’m on Xanax at the moment. (Only for the last week so far. Low dosage. Seems to work okay.) It’s not an antidepressant, and it has a far more immediate effect than Zoloft or Prozac or other SSRIs. It just feels like what you’d expect a “chill pill” to feel like. It does have addictive potential, and weaning off it, after taking it for several months, can be difficult, from what I’ve read.
Unless you’re having anxiety attacks, you won’t get prescribed that.
I can’t specifically comment on your medication, but I did a very brief stint on Prozac in 1997. I find the SSRIs (like Luvox) to be, well, almost undedectable. There is no obvious high or buzz. You don’t suddenly start feeling happy. Nada. They say it takes about 3 weeks to take effect, and that was the experience with me. After three weeks, the gloomy “fog” slowly started to lift and, in accordance with the literature, it was my family and friends who noticed it first. Like I said, it is NOT an obvious drug. Luckily, I got my Prozac for free, and after 3 months when I had to pay for it, I just stopped taking it, after consulting the doctor, of course. The drugs, combined with a couple lucky breaks in my life, did the trick and I was fine. I did not couple the drugs with psychotherapy, as the therapist said I don’t seem to respond to it. Some people respond to therapy; some drugs; some a combination. Your mileage will vary.
Depression naturally lifts after about 2-2 1/2 years, so I wouldn’t worry too much about being stuck on drugs for the rest of my life. Depending on the level of depression, you may be OK after 3 months of therapy. All I remember is that my doctor didn’t want me to do any more than 6 months of Prozac (low dosage.) It’s not habit-forming (according to all the pharmacology reports I’ve read) but there’s no need to take it longer than you have to. My only complaint (a common one) is it took me longer to achieve orgasm, and they were weaker. But it’s a small price to pay for a little bit of peace.
Get a second opinion if you’re uncomfortable. But don’t worry about it. Sometimes our brain chemistry gets a little out of whack, and these drugs can be a great help if used under the close supervision of a physician.
- turns out I have serious OCD (and anxiety disorder) -like a thirteen on a scale of 1-15 (15 being bad). Well, not knowing all those years caused serious frustation which led to depression. I started taking Prozac three years ago. By the time he took me off Prozac, I was on the highest dose they can prescribe. I was/am also on 300MG of Wellbutrin to decrease sexual side effects. About 4 months ago he switched me to Effexor and so far, so good. I’m up to 225mg. I feel good. Not great, not bad, just good. Level. Level is good. 