I'll try and keep this short. In mid August, something triggered SEVERE PANIC ATTACKS & ROUND THE CLOCK ANXIETY/DEPRESSION. I sought help and started Lexapro 10 mgs. and seeing a counselor. (2 actually - 1 clergy/1 counselor)

At the end of September, the meds had helped but not enough. I sought out a psychiatrist whom I like. I've seen him 1 time. He maxed out the Lexapro. I also have Ativan as needed. This has controlled the anxiety pretty well, besides some breakthrough times. However I've been on it for a month and feel like CRAP! I have NO ENERGY, NO MOTIVATION, it takes me forever to do anything. I feel out of it, dragging, slow. I feel like a ZOMBIE! I have no passion for ANYTHING ANYMORE.

How long will this take to find the right combo. I do see the psych again next Monday. Will they be able to find a good combo for me???????????? Is it normal to take this long?

I know it sucks. been there done that. I missed so much work because I had no energy I was falling asleep at work.
Any ways it took me a year to find the right combo of meds.
You need to tell the doc who gave you those pills of what is going on. And they can give you some thing different.
It just takes time.
Hang in there

You sound exactly like me. I am taking zoloft and ativan. The Zoloft has helped a little bit with the anxiety but not the depression. I have been on Zoloft for one month. Yesterday I visited the psychaitrist and she upped my Zoloft from 50 mg to 100 mg. She told me paitience is required with anti depressants as it takes a while to get the right dosage and for your body to adapt. The lack of motivation is what is killing me though. I used to be such a motivated person.. Best wishes in your recovery and hope you find the right dose of the right meds...

Rod

As with all AD's, it can take up to 8 weeks to receive full benefits. If the Lexapro (visit the Lexapro room) at the higher dose doesn't appear to be doing the trick with your depression, definitely discuss how you are doing with your pdoc. There are many more AD's you can try. It's normal to go through a trial and error with pmeds to find the right combo for you. Most of us have been through it more than a few times. The key is patience. (I'm on a combo of 5 meds, but I have more MHI than just depression.)

AD's are not a cure-all for depression. What they do is lift your mood enough for you to function on a higher level.
Sheepwoman