I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

If your psychiatrist is not helpful or you somehow don’t click well
with your psychiatrist, I suggest that you consult another
psychiatrist (page 23). It’s OK – be kind to yourself, you deserve
better service.
It’s not helpful to read on the internet of possible side-effects and,
scare yourself unnecessarily, and stop the medicines without any
discussion with your psychiatrist. Sometimes, the reported ‘sideeffects’
(e.g. tiredness, poor concentration/memory, low libido)
could actually be part of the depression, instead of true side-effects
of antidepressants. A better way is again to discuss with your
psychiatrist.
It’s important to understand the side effects
of antidepressants in proper perspective;
together with their benefits. Sometimes the
benefits of antidepressants (e.g. able to work and prevent a severe
relapse with suicidal tendencies) outweigh the side-effects (e.g.
weight gain). In this situation, it’s better to continue with the
antidepressant and overcome the weight gain by dietary and
lifestyle changes.
In summary, taken and adjusted correctly, antidepressants can give
a lot of BENEFITS – not side-effects.
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