I’ve been taking Lexapro (aka Escitalopram) for close to 2 years now and I can say that it’s literally saved my live. I’m not saying that this is some sort of magic pill that will make all of your problems, anxiety, and depression go away but it has worked wonders for me. You can read about my Lexapro journey here.
It was by the grace of God that I decided to see a psychiatrist in late 2019 before the COVID pandemic took off and I was stuck at home. My life had become one of constant anxiety so it was no surprise to me when I was diagnosed with GAD (general anxiety disorder) and mild depression. My low point came a few weeks after my first appointment when I was so stressed that I took a sick day and went to the local nature preserve to try to find some peace.
It took several weeks for the Lexapro to start working for me. The right dosage was 20 mg which took a while for me to work up to. I’d heard some horror stories but decided to stick with it. I was worried that I would get worse and potentially suicidal if I didn’t do something soon. This really scared me since I’m married with 2 young children and I don’t want them to grow up without a father.
The change was gradual. I noticed that in the morning I didn’t feel as much hopeless dread as I normally felt. My mornings were the worst. Most days I would drive to work and have to psych myself up in a nearby parking lot before going in for the day. It was the absolute worst feeling of hopelessness. The Lexapro helped reduce that feeling over time. While I still feel some anxiety in the morning, it’s not nearly as bad as it used to be.
I also noticed that upcoming important meetings or presentations didn’t stress me out nearly as much. Over time I actually started to excel in these meetings and excelled in my job and got a nice raise that was completely unexpected. I was also able to stay grounded and away from alcohol during the pandemic. It scares me to think how bad things could have gotten for me during stay-at-home if I hadn’t been on Lexapro. I’m pretty sure I would have started drinking again….I’m now sober 3 years and counting!
Lexapro Side Effects
It hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. Lexapro has had a few unpleasant side effects. The first is I sweat alot. I always used to sweat quite a bit but now it a whole other level. I can pretty much sweat out a dress shirt so bad that the sweat drips into my pants.
Also I’ve gained about 10 pounds since taking Lexapro. This is certainly not helping the sweating situation. But to be honest these are both a small price to pay to improve my mental health! I feel so much better!
Take Care of Your Mental Health
So if you are struggling with anxiety and/or depression, take care of yourself. Get help. Don’t worry about the stigma or what anyone will think. You are worth it.
Lexapro changed my life for the better. For the first time since I can remember since my parents died I have a positive outlook on the future.
