How is your experience with antidepressants?

I take 20mg of escitalopram (generic Cipralex) plus 5mg of Abilify daily. The escitalopram alone was not working as well for me as it does with the Abilify. I also practice cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to change how I view things (negative feelings) and how I think generally about inputs into my mind. Together they are all working well for me. If you are getting exercise and altering your thinking to where you are feeling great, then certainly I'd say that you are on a good path. Whether you would feel that way on the escitalopram alone is not possible for me to say, but if it's not causing you undue side-effects, then you can consider staying on it as a maintenance drug for your seratonin levels. Don't just stop taking it without consulting your prescribing physician.

I take escitalopram too. 2 years ago, dr. tried Abilify. I developed ticks and memory issues. I'm now on Lamictral and Seroquel-no ticks or unusual movements-just some weioght gain

I’ve taken an array of anti-depressants over the last 30 years, and with one exception, they have addressed my depression issues. I have also taken anti-anxiety medication, which has done its job. I have had weight gain from all of them, but that problem is better than depression & suicidal ideation. The unfortunate part of the depression treatment protocol is that , at least in my case, one never gets “well” and the problem goes away. That serves to be depressing in its own right.

@aliali- You are right as far as I'm concerned and I think that your worrying made things worse for you. But now that you are doing less worrying I do believe that you are on the right track and need to give yourself credit! YAHOO!

When replying to a post or addressing a specific member in your post, make sure you tag them. How do I do that? – Easy, just use their member name with the “@” sign like I did to address this new discussion to you. When you tag a member this way, they will receive an email notification that someone has mentioned them in a post.
Thank you; as we all get so many posts it gets confusing if you don't address someone. Please help us all by doing this!

@elwooodsdad one told me that his depression goes and comes again and again; it needs a continuous treatment and does not go away easily. The think I know is we have to keep doing the good stuff we are doing, even if we think that depression is gone. The sudden withdrawal of antidepressants may cause a relapse !