I tried several anti-depressants and they all have bad side effects, some of which can be permanent (like dry mouth, which obviously lead to worse dental health). I never felt like the doctors were clear enough about how bad the side-effects were, and especially when a patient is severely depressed they shouldn’t be expected to read and properly conceptualize what the info on the pamphlet means. I was at least in very much of a “can’t get worse” mindset when I first got prescribed an AD and especially considering my urgent referral to therapy meant a six month wait time.

However, after years off meds, I decided I needed to do something, and went back on the least bad one. As I no longer work, I can deal with the side-effects, and be a somewhat more stable and nicer person to be around.