Posted by LynneDa on October 29, 2003, at 16:05:33
In reply to Lexapro for mild depression/dysthymia?, posted by Cubsfan on October 29, 2003, at 15:03:54
Hi! I think we have some similarities so hopefully this will help. I think I have dysthymia and/or mild depression, no one's sure which. I have also been diagnosed with PMDD and I definitely have anxiety issues. My moods, ability to handle things, etc., are definitely cyclical thru the month and the year. I'm perimenopausal apparently (at 40). But the past few years have been much worse than my 20s & 30s.
I have been in counseling off and on for 10 years or so, but never have had any episodes of major depression where I can't function at all. I just don't function well - maybe about 60% of where I should be on bad days and 80% on good.
To make a long story short, because of the extremity of my tears, anger, apathy, intermittent desires to just drop out, unexplained fatigue and lowered functioning in all areas of life, I decided, with encouragement from my internist, gynecologist, therapist, parents, boss and friends, to try Lexapro.
It's been over one week and I am so much better, it's amazing. The s/e's were very tolerable compared to Sarafem (prozac, really) that I tried a year ago and quit after 2 months. I feel a bit sleepy but not any worse than before really, a little nausea at first, a bit of constipation, some inorgasmia . . . but I am much more able to cope, actually make a decision and deal with the extra stresses in my personal life right now.
The end result is this: I know there are behavior patterns I need to change and issues I need to work through. Having this *veil* of mild depression lifted off of me will now give me the energy and clear-sightedness to work on those things. (I hope!)
I was terrified too (& that's not an exaggeration)! I recommend you give it a try and keep us posted. This board is immensely encouraging and supportive while you go thru any side effects. Good luck whatever you decide!
~ LynneHi there! Today was the first time I read through the messages on this thread and they are all very interesting. Thanks to all of you for your contributions! I have recently been prescribed to take Lexapro for mild depression and possibly dysthymia. I have been counseled by my therapist for the past three months to take an anti-depressant but have resisted thus far due to the SE's as well as the fear of becoming dependent upon them. The short-version of my story is that I'm 27 years old and have gone through major bouts of depression a couple of times in my life, most recently starting about a year back. Although I don't feel that I currently have major depression, I don't feel quite right and don't feel that I have any excitement for life. I've felt this way for a long time off and on. That's why I wonder if I have dysthymia, something which no one has been able to confirm one way or the other. Basically, I'm still unsure about whether there is some sort of a chemical imbalance that I'm suffering from or just thinking patterns that I need to work on. It's very frustrating, cause I want to feel better but don't know how to go about it.
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> My question is whether those of you who take Lexapro feel it would be helpful for someone like me who possibly suffers from a mild form of depression, or is it only helpful for those with a major form? I've been presribed to take 10mg but, after reading some of the postings on this thread, am now a little reluctant again due to the SE's. I would love to hear your response. Thanks!
poster:LynneDa
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031025/msgs/274718.html