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
Views: 34956
Truly impressed of your bravery, you're pretty amazing.
Thank you
Xxx
A wise, generous and courageous man. The world is a better place with people like you in it.
I'm so glad you spoke up about this. And you're so right about those first few weeks on meds. You absolutely nailed it with the role of meds vs therapy as well. I went to a counselor for over a decade without meds. It helped, but I wasn't making much real progress. Combining anti-depressants (Zoloft works for me) and counseling has been a huge boon.
I think that you have a wonderful skill in communicating and giving hope. This video will definitely give people a lot of comfort. X
You spoke well. Thank you.🙂
200mg of sertraline per day, hardly touches the sides.
I watched this video a month ago and thought it was just the most relatable description of depression I have ever seen, I mean to comment at the time. It means a lot to see someone who is really so similar to me describe similar experiences much better than I can word it myself. You'll feel like you're on top of it, but you can't let your guard down! A few hours ago I used your descriptions to try and help a close friend who has poorly self managed her depression for decades and is in a bit of a tangle. They seemed to hit home a lot better than anything I could muster myself, I'm pretty confident that you have by proxy really helped her out. And helped me feel a lot less helpless. Thanks.
I’m going to pick up my first prescription of sertraline up in the morning after a 3 year break, I know they aren’t going to help with my underlying problems but I desperately need something to knock the edge off. Over the last few years that I’m just wired up wrong, no matter how good things are going I wake up every morning and my first thought is “why can’t this be over”
Thanks a million for making this video Max, and for sharing your quite personal experience with the world. I've had to deal with depression on and off since my early 20's. And I've been on an SSRI for a good 15 years now. It has really helped to stabilise me and to give me the breathing room to figure out what is going on in my life that is causing the anxiety and sadness that leads to depression. I finally decided to watch your video. I'm very glad I did! Cause you made me realise that SSRI's do indeed stop you from feeling a normal range of emptions. And that is what life is ultimately about. The peaks. AND the troughs! It makes life worth living.
Max, I do really appreciate you putting your heart out there with your experiences, especially with a subject that people do not speak enough about. The world is often very challenging for so many and this information has helped to understand that medication is never an easy fix, but can help. Really appreciate you my friend ❤️❤️