Starting Antidepressants: What Everyone Needs to Know About Mental Health Side Effects

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, co-host Bridget shares her personal and deeply emotional story about the psychological crash she experienced after restarting antidepressants. Despite years of managing depression through alternative methods, Bridget opens up about a dark period that nearly consumed her — and how one crucial oversight almost cost her everything. This episode is a cautionary tale and an urgent call for better communication between patients, their support systems, and prescribing professionals.

Primary Topics Covered:

• What depression really feels like, beyond symptoms lists
• The invisible shift when starting or restarting antidepressants
• How a lack of follow-up and support can create dangerous blind spots
• The importance of communicating with loved ones about medication changes
• Why depression treatment is a long, evolving process — and why hope matters

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:08 Bridget and Terri open the episode
00:24 Why sharing personal depression stories matters
00:40 Terri introduces Bridget’s personal story
01:21 Bridget describes “pushing through” depression
01:44 Depression as a full-body experience
02:09 Bridget discusses her symptoms
03:14 Discussion of guilt, irritability, and foggy thinking
03:47 Bridget’s struggle with suicidal thoughts
04:33 Bridget explains her experience going off meds
05:41 Sudden relapse after restarting medication
06:06 How suicidal thoughts intensified without warning
06:14 Lack of awareness that meds were impacting perception
06:37 The absence of professional follow-up
07:15 The profound shift after surviving the darkest period
08:05 Advice: Always tell someone when starting or stopping meds
08:28 The evolving nature of depression and treatment
08:45 Encouragement for those currently struggling
09:37 Final message of hope and connection
10:22 Episode closing remarks and takeaway

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