Antidepressants Explained: When to See a Psychiatrist and What to Expect from Medication

Medication for depression and anxiety is one of the most debated topics in mental health. Some people credit antidepressants with saving their lives, while others avoid them out of fear or stigma. In this candid conversation, psychiatrist Dr. Jessi Gold joins the Giving Voice to Depression podcast to break down the realities of seeing a psychiatrist, starting medication, and managing expectations. We discuss how to know when it’s time to consider meds, common side effects, treatment myths, and why combining therapy with medication is often most effective.

Whether you’re hesitant about antidepressants, already taking them, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clarity, honesty, and hope.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Misconceptions and stigma surrounding antidepressants
• When it’s time to see a psychiatrist
• What happens at a first psychiatric visit
• Side effects and how to manage them
• The reality of waiting for medications to work
• Why therapy + medication can be the most effective treatment
• The difference between feeling “different” vs. being “overmedicated”
• Treatment-resistant depression and what it means

Timestamps:

00:05 - Introduction to the episode
 01:02 - Meme that captures the antidepressant debate
 01:31 - Why antidepressants are controversial
 01:52 - Considering meds for depression or anxiety
 02:28 - Dr. Jessi Gold joins the conversation
 03:15 - When people typically seek a psychiatrist
 03:38 - Therapy plus medication: a powerful combination
 04:11 - Signs it’s time to consider meds
 05:14 - What to expect from a first psychiatric visit
 06:14 - Stigma and resistance around psychiatry
 07:17 - Why antidepressants take time to work
 08:05 - Common side effects and how people manage them
 08:56 - Do antidepressants actually work?
 09:53 - Will medication change my personality?
 11:02 - Comparing meds vs. untreated depression
 11:22 - Concerns about being on medication long-term
 12:34 - Misconceptions about “treatment-resistant” depression
 14:14 - Why a pill isn’t a magic fix
 14:59 - Therapy’s role alongside medication
 16:24 - The goal isn’t constant happiness—it's balance
 17:20 - Bridget shares her own med experience
 17:47 - Terry reflects on her own medication journey
 18:15 - Psychiatry as “throwing darts in the dark”
 18:37 - Gratitude for Dr. Gold’s insights
 18:53 - Closing thoughts and invitation to connect online

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