So where were we? Ahh, yes, leaving my therapist appointment on 11/23/2019, with a referral to a Psychiatrist. Well… 12/19/2019, was my first time stepping foot inside a Psychiatrist’s office. Between the appointments I was doing too much Googling and watching YouTuber’s discuss their experiences on medications for mental health. So much, that it peaked my anxiety and became overwhelmed. Some Youtuber’s praised them and loved how much their medications helped them, while some others stopped using theirs noting they couldn’t take the side effects, or how they didn’t feel right. I remember when I went to my first therapy appointment, I stated I feared having to go on medication, thinking that meant I was “weak” and not able to “beat” my mental angst on my own. However, after settling down and rationalizing things, the continued cycle I had been used to needed to be broken!
The initial consult with the Psychiatrist went well. I told him my story, gave some examples in which anxiety and depression get the best of me, discussed some of the sources and causes, and of course we discussed the medication options. Specifically, we talked about the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor’s (SSRI’s), Zoloft and Prozac. Obviously, I expressed my concerns and asked what I should expect. Side effects can range from nausea to libido changes (WTF), and weight gain. In my initial thinking, I was wondering if it was going to be like the Limitless pill, where I “unlock” and utilize additional parts of brain, becoming this energetic “superhuman” that can conquer anything. However, the doc quickly assured me I shouldn’t expect to suddenly become the “life of the party” or “mister talkative, with the bubbly personality”, but the medications should ease my symptoms and get me out of my head so much. Plus, it would assist in executing my cognitive-behavioral practices from therapy.
I decided to move forward with adding this form of treatment to assistant in my mental health progression. Prozac was the drug decided upon. Before leaving the appointment, the prescription was sent to my neighborhood Walgreens. About 2 hours after, I received the text saying my prescription was ready. I picked it up at 7:00pm that same evening. And on the morning of 12/20/2019, I took my first 10mg of Prozac.
Anxious Courage 