My husband was on 3 depression related meds plus 1 for high cholesterol. Not only was nothing working he was getting worse with major terror attacks and he was sleeping 20 hrs a day. His psychiatrist never actually talks to him, only checks in every 3 months for about 3 min and increases dosage. I had had it and researched each drug as to sideffects, created a spreadsheet to see how they compared plus which side effects he had and how severe he was experiencing them on a scale of 1to3. Of all the effects possible he had every single one except one. 7 of them were caused by all 3 meds! Another 6 were shared between 2, plus others per med. He was having a storm of side effects!! Armed with this spreadsheet we called the psychiatrist for an emergency meeting. He was quite surprised by the sheet and promptly canceled every drug, prescribed a new one for night (because of drowsiness effect) and 1 for terror as needed. Almost every side effect disappeared except no energy and sleeping alot. I had insisted on a meeting in 30 days to reassess. We switched meds again and things are better. Not great but he can function in public and do errands, mow, drive. My big point is to do your research and self advocate. No one is taking new patients in our area so we are stuck with this Doc, who is basically a pill pusher, or we'd change in a heartbeat. Best to all who are struggling to find what works for you.

When i started on an anti depressant and Xanax many many years ago I was so miserable. Debilitating anxiety, no appetite. lost a massive amount of weight, crying and vomiting constantly, insomnia. I was so desperate I would have taken arsenic if that’s what I had been told to take. I had children to take care of. Now I’m reaping all the side effects and dependency from these drugs. Take someone with you when starting medication if you’re in no shape to ask questions. Days turn into months, months turn into years when you take these drugs. Wish I would have known then what I know now.