Anti-depresssant aren’t working: What medications have helped you?

Effexor backfired on me in a really scary way. I was switched to Lamictal and have been depression-free for a full year now. I went from lifelong cyclic depression that Effexor never really worked for, into severe depression that both I and my doctor concluded was being driven by the Effexor itself (a rare but documented reaction). Since Lamictal requires a stepping up period and my severe depression quickly ebbed after stopping the Effexor, I can't really determine how much of my recovery was due to removing the drug driving it and how much is owed to Lamictal. But because cyclical depression had been my norm and that's cleared up as well, I plan on remaining on Lamictal for the foreseeable future because I've been in such a good place for so long now.

wellbutrin has worked for me for many years now

I too suffered from depression and anxiety. My depression did not prevent me from functioning (working etc ) but the anxiety was major panic attacks. I tried almost every antidepressant and cocktails of same if it worked on depression it made my anxiety thru the roof. The problem I think is that some antidepressants are energizing. Well long story short I have been on mirtazapine for several yrs.i take 30 mg at bedtime. However I have also been on lyrica and I find that keeps anxiety eY down. Also I did do two separate 36 treatments ofTMS. I fought that a lot. Mostly because of the time commitment and they were done 2 yrs. Apart. I know you said that you were t interested. Just wondering why

I have treatment resistant depression as they have called it. I have had every colour of the rainbow when it comes to anti-depressants. I found medicinal cannabis beneficial; I take both CBD 220mg/ml with terpenes during the day to drive safely. I take THC/CBD 25/25mg/ml after I no longer need to drive usually between 3-5pm. I have found it gives my brain a rest from overthinking, caring, etc... and allows you time to rationalise and work through your reasons for depression.
I am in Melbourne, Australia where there is a stigma attached to medicinal cannabis from the medical establishment. Which is why they refuse to acknowledge any benefits to my face anyway. I started off on a lower dosage which was not as beneficial and have settled on the doses of 0.5ml of both types daily. I have had no desire to increase the amount and have even not taken it some days. If I travel overseas and cannot take it, I have no side effects. When taking it the only side effect is a bit of fogginess in the brain which goes away when you take the CBD. It has even helped with improving my sleep. It is no magic bullet, but it stopped my suicidal ideation, and it doesn't take two weeks to work and 8-10 weeks to wean off. I hope you find peace whatever path you take.