[dandare]

Fluoxetine aka Prozac.

Surely, a lot of people are afraid of medication and the stigma of mental illness that comes with it. Prozac made wonders for me, I am where I am thanks to this well researched and safe "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor".

With hindsight, I realize no exercise or lifestyle change could get me out of the dark place that sucked me in. Depression is like a broken leg - you better go see a doctor.

After the first couple of weeks of treatment, my level of serotonin stabilized (so I think) and the darkest thoughts and panic attacks receded. It did not magically solve any of my problems but it gave me back my strength to fight with them over time. There were no severe side effects, maybe a lower libido in the first months. Actually, one side effect surprised me - I started to be talkative again. I totally forgot I knew how to talk to people and enjoyed company around me. Now I am a mild extrovert again, I manage people, I quit weed and booze and I take the lowest dose (20mg) of Fluoxetine every evening.