Has anyone on here had positive experiences with antidepressants?

Your family, you should excuse the expression, sounds like a fine bunch of a$$holes.

They clearly have made you the designated target of cruelty and humiliation. I suspect if you ignore them, they just ramp up the teasing.

It sounds like you've come to your senses and aren't going to accept that this is in any way typical family behavior, nor is it your "fault".

They are defective, not you.

I’m the same . Although it’s funny how many assume I’m the one with the problem. I guess that’s the result of a narcissistic parent. Most don’t see behind their mask lol. But you can only change your thinking , not another’s.

Wellbutrin has been a life saver for me. My husband & I moved to Texas to be near our 2 kids. My husband is 88 and has declined quite a bit so I moved here to be close-to my kids for help. I became extremely depressed & the anxiety was just to much. On top of that’, I fell and broke my back along with 5 broken ribs, sure didn’t help my depression . Long story short, I had to get new Drs but I am now feeling much better but I still have bad days. My husband is now sleeping day & night, can’t keep him awake.

Why not cut your Prozac in half or even quarters, start taking smaller doses every day then work your way up to a full dose over a couple of weeks. That way you will still be giving your body an opportunity to get used to the medication, but at a slower pace. It is either put up with the side effects or keep sliding further and further into depression. It worked for my husband, it may work for you too, but you will never know unless you try it.
NEVER EVER give up anti depressants cold turkey, ALWAYS wean yourself off them over a few weeks. If you do not do that you run the risk of falling back into an even deeper depression than before you began your medication. In my husband's case it resulted in a full blown episode (aka nervous breakdown).
You also need to try behaviour modification - if you are not already doing that, of course. Medication alone cannot fix the problem, depressed people need an attitude adjustment as well.
1. Start by taking yourself out of stressful situations wherever possible. If you belong to some sort of volunteer organisation and the members upset you, leave. If people you work with upset you, don't socialise with them, even at lunch time. If you work, take your lunch with you and sit in a park in the fresh air. If family or friends call on you unnecessarily or unfairly, be unavailable.
2. If you do not have a hobby, find something that you can lose yourself in. It could be anything from reading to cooking classes, macrame to knitting beanies for the homeless, doing a sudoku every morning and evening. Just do it.
3. Exercise is very very important in dealing with depression. We are not talking full-on gym junkie here, just a slow paced walk even just around the block can do wonders, as long as it is done regularly.
4. Routine is very important. It might sound boring, but it keeps one motivated, a sense of achievement every day is very therapeutic. It might just be mopping the kitchen floor every Monday morning, going to the movies every Tuesday evening. Make a date with yourself to do something for yourself.
5. If you are an animal lover, and are prepared to have a pet in the house, get a dog. They are very understanding, they are not judgemental, they offer unconditional love - and they know when you are feeling down. My husband has great comfort from his little 'shadow', whether it be out in the garden, having an afternoon siesta, or watching tv. She is also his companion when he takes his daily walk exercise. Only about 15 minutes but it sets himself up for the day. Even the dog gets depressed if he does not walk her!
I am afraid I am also hearing the biggest enemy of depressed people - defeatism. I know it so well from experience. I am now immune to my husband's excuses to not adhere to his behaviour modification programme.Fortunately he is now very accepting of the medication, he hates the dark places that full on depression has taken him. I just wish I had not accepted all that crap for more than 40 years before his bi polar2 was finally diagnosed. And he is sorry he did not take the GPs advice all those years ago.

Gershun what type of doc do you go to for mental heath meds? I have always gone to a psychiatrist for that because I think they are better equipped to deal with the issues that arise from psych meds. I've had the same one for four years now and he knows all about what's gong on with me and is working with me to find solutions to the depression. The right doctor can make a world of difference.

Four Ativan is ridiculous imo. Why did your doc give you such a small amount? I'm well aware benzos have addiction potential but they also have therapeutic use that can be a life saver. I have a Xanax script that I have had for several years. I use it sparingly but in certain situations it is necessary. At my last appointment my doctor asked me if I needed a refill on the Xanax. I said no I still had some because I was afraid to use it "too much" because of dependency issues. He flat out told me - you don't have those issues, I know this because I'm the one who prescribes it and I haven't given you enough to be dependent.

I'm about to start Wellbutrin soon and I plan to use Xanax if I feel freaky with initial side effects. Xanax is fast acting with a short half life so it doesn't stay in the system long. Ativan is longer lasting, so Xanax might be a better choice for dealing with the initial side effects of a new anti-depressant.

I'm sorry the Prozac made you feel so weird. That can happen with these types of drugs and it's an unsettling feeling. You will know if a side effect is a deal breaker or something you can power through, and it seems like maybe Prozac isn't the one for you. Have you ever tried Lexapro? Just curious. I would have stayed on that one if it wasn't for the extreme tiredness I experienced, and it wouldn't go away. I gave it two months over last summer.

There are also other types of meds that can be tried. Many people have luck with some of the anticonvulsant meds like Gabapentin and Lamictal as mood stabilizers. There are so many options really, so please don't give up hope. The trial and error is frustrating to say the least but when one finally works it's worth it.

Good luck and hugs to you.