• Replies 9 replies
  • Subscribers 10 subscribers
  • Views 1239 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Types of Anti Depressants

MC

Hi, I've just joined the forum.

I was diagnosed with Autism around 18 months ago. I have always struggled with social situations and those turned into panic attacks and meltdowns.

Over the last 4 years my GP has prescribed me Anti Depressants, as well as talking therapy and CBT.. Talking therapy really helps when I can get it.

I've been on 5 different Anti Depressants/SSRI's/NSRI's, but none of them really helped and one of them made me feels so bad that my friend almost called an ambulance. It was a terrifying experience.

I've spoken to a few different GP's and they all seem to want me to try different SSRI's or NSRI's, until I find one that works for me, but I'm honestly to scared to try anything else.

One of my councillors told me that there are other Anti Depressants that don't effect you as much as SSRI's or NSRI's, but my GP's don't want me to try them until I've tried more SSRI's/NSRI's.

My Anxiety is so bad that I don't leave the house much now, I'm middle aged and it's really effected my work, so I would like to try some other medicine that may help. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

Thanks.

Parents

  • Totally get this. I have been through about 10 SSRIs and SNRIs with varying effects from nothing, to debilitating side-effects, to worsened mood, to numbness. These have been prescribed by psychiatrists, so it's not just GPs that push them.

    The first antidepressant I was prescribed was a tricyclic Lofepramine and it had some positive effect, but I definitely was conventionally depressed on top of undiagnosed autism (next to nobody had heard of autism then, let alone women being autistic). There were only two types then (1990s): tricyclics and MAOIs. Both types are dangerous in overdose which is why they are rarely prescribed these days. MAOIs interact badly with certain foods too. There is also Lithium which requires ongoing blood tests to get the dosage right.

    My most recent prescription was Venlafaxine (SNRI) augmented by Quetiapine which only left me feeling flat all the time, with Diazepam for occasional use for anxiety.

    The following is a useful summary:

    https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/overview/

    In your place I would push to see a psychiatrist, but don't let them pressure you into taking an AD if you don't want to.

  • in reply to Ice Swimmer

    Thank you Ice Swimmer. It's really good to know you've had a similar experience.

    Venlafaxine is the latest AD they want me to try. They aren't very pushy, and respect that I am now terrified of SSRI's, but I get the impression that they (GP's)  can't help in any other way?

    Have you had any AD's which didn't have the worse before it gets better effects? I can't seem to handle those. Mirtazapine really messed me around.

    I was thinking of speaking to a psychiatrist.

    Thank you.

Reply
  • in reply to Ice Swimmer

    Thank you Ice Swimmer. It's really good to know you've had a similar experience.

    Venlafaxine is the latest AD they want me to try. They aren't very pushy, and respect that I am now terrified of SSRI's, but I get the impression that they (GP's)  can't help in any other way?

    Have you had any AD's which didn't have the worse before it gets better effects? I can't seem to handle those. Mirtazapine really messed me around.

    I was thinking of speaking to a psychiatrist.

    Thank you.

Children