I have suffered periods of intense and persistent depression in my life, I’ve never talked much about it and never in public before as I’ve never wanted to identify as a depressive or be seen as mentally ill. Now though, I’ve made a video all about it!
This is a video I’ve been thinking about making for many years – I guess it finally felt like the right time. Despite how it may look, this is not a confessional, not a cry for help or anything like that, I am well removed from the events I talk about.
Instead, I have made this video with the aim to help others that might in a similar place to where I once was, or know someone that is. I also wanted to share what it’s like to be on these powerful drugs, because I don’t think doctors always prepare people very well for what’s going to happen to them.
These were the anti-depressants I was prescribed:
Fluoxetine, brand name Prozac
Paroxetine, brand names Paxil and Seroxat
Venlafaxine, brand name Effexor
Sertraline, brand name Zoloft
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Likes: 3577
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St John's Wort is also good. It's an OTC herbal medicine which I think, works in a similar way to the SSRIs.
Thanks for sharing this was really helpful to listen to. 30 year old man on sertraline here.
Thanks for the video. I'm so happy that you just record yourself sitting down and talking about your experiences, that's rare these days. You've given me a lot of courage, thanks for helping out.
I started out watching your early videos and there was something about you that I recognized but couldn't quite put my finger on it. This video helped me see what it was that I recognized. I also have suffered from chronic depression and generalized anxiety for the last 50 years. (I am currently 65 years old.)
Number one… Your videos are extremely therapeutic for me and I can't thank you enough for providing them.
Number two… what you spoke about in this video is so so true. I can relate very much with your experiences with medications.
I've gone through at least 50 depressive episodes over the course of my life. What I have discovered about myself is that I am medication and therapy resistant and even though I am the throws of one of the worst depressions, I'm still plugging away.
Again, I can't thank you enough…
I, for the first time in my life, have just been prescribed antidepressants. I haven't taken them. I set myself targets and goals, and met them, and have been fortunate enough to dig myself out of a hole. I am 58 and have been, until recently, in a job in which I've had to make 'kill or be killed' decisions. I have taken everything that life has thrown at me and pushed on. Everybody has a point at which they are full; full of the stuff that life dishes out. I have recently reached that point. It has beans unexpected as being run over by a bus. This video is remarkable, candid and life affirming. Thank you so much for making it. It has been a tonic beyond belief.
I looked again and got more this time. Thanks Maximus.
Respect sir. As you mentioned "one has to live, or move foward." Not easy for some people without question, but is the absolute key to getting better. No matter how bad you may feel, getting out and attempting to be normal is so important to getting healthy important. Isolation is the very worse thing one can do. Certainly brought me to my knees. Good luck to all those fighting this horrible illness, and again respect for the video and brutal honesty mate.
When I started my journey of trying to figure out my anxiety causes I wasn't to know or be given the opportunity to explore the 10 years or more history that lead to it. The GP at the time was asking me if I wanted drugs within the first 30 seconds. When we ourselves face up to our problems we would hope that we are met with clinicians meeting us half way. They say the first step is seeking help, but you don't expect them to keep compounding our problems. It would seem it's all about inducing a brain chemistry imbalance with breathing exercises ignoring millennia of evolution now. Wellbeing's placebo; the practitioner ready with the second form for comparison on an obvious good day. Having been deprived of both my physical and cognitive abilities through illness anything that would deprive me of either was going against the grain. It's taken all my cognitive powers and many years to reach that understanding but it's hard to convey in the 16 odd second my current GP has before he wants to hear his own voice. It's like we supposed to be lab rats testing the latest drug with no one following through until once we get lucky with someone who does. I'm yet to meet one. Coping along for now, avoiding the triggers as best I can.
Only just discovered your channel so lots of great stuff to see still, cheers 🙂
Respect to you for recording this video and sharing your past experience. It takes tremendous courage to open about past struggles. Wish you best of health and happiness for the future. I will sound bias but for me personally Islam gave the perfect perspective and solution to manage and overcome depression. It does not mean that other mental health issues do not require treatment. One of my English brothers who reverted to Islam told me that he would have killed himself if he had not found Islam. He had a troubled past, childhood trauma, was haunted by experiences of serving in the forces, previous alcohol and drug abuse and was on heavy medication for depression. To date he has managed to successfully maintain a business and a very close social circle.
I am fortunate to have experienced two major sets of cultures and belief systems and found that western lifestyle and social dynamic is the major cause for increasing rates of depression.
Once again I have so much respect and love for you to share your story and may it help someone who might be struggling.
I know for a fact that had I not been a Muslim then I will have been suffering form the above and especially in the last 12 months have been the worst of my life with multiple losses that have ripped apart my life and my families life. The only thing that keeps me going is family and my faith.
I would encourage anyone struggling with this to read up on Islamic approach to depression.
Respect to you for posting this Maximus.