Does anybody has problems using anti-depressants?

I am afraid to use anti-depressants. I am afraid they could change my entire personality.

[specialmom]

Hi.  Today's antidepressants are for the most part, pretty tolerable.  There is always a risk/benefit analysis that you have to do.  If you have depression and it is hindering your life in a way that you want to change that, I would not be afraid to try an antidepressant that you and your doctor decide is best for you.  They have side effects often in the beginning that are 'start up' side effects that are transient in that they start to become less and less with most being gone once the drug is fully on board and working which is typically 6 to 8 weeks.  There are many different medications available and sometimes in 'may' take a time or two or so to figure out the best match for you.  If you do decide to take medication, it's important to do the other things that help along with it.  This includes talk therapy, regular exercise eating well.  Life style things DO affect our mental health and your overcoming depression will be greatly improved by adhering to overall healthy living.  And again, can't say enough about talk therapy!  So important to a successful recovery from depression.  Please don't allow other 'bad stories' make you fearful of getting the help you need.  Those stories are anecdotal and everyone is different.  So, don't allow fear to stop you from feeling better.  good luck

[AnxiousNoMore]

" If your life is so disrupted and you've tried therapy and non-medication modalities and nothing has worked then..."
RiPeCo what have you done to try to deal with it so far? Please tell us about yourself.

[Paxiled]

Actually, it is possible to suffer personality changes on antidepressants -- it's a common side effect.  They won't change your whole personality but they might change part of it.  If it happens, tapering off safely and slowly usually gets rid of that side effect, but it would be wrong to tell you drugs are benign.  Sometimes they aren't.  If your life is so disrupted and you've tried therapy and non-medication modalities and nothing has worked then sometimes it's a risk you take just as it's always a risk to use any invasive medical procedure.  You have to weigh the potential costs against the benefits a lot in life.