Scared to start taking escitalopram (lexapro) or st. john wort

[richy1991]

hey all
i have been suffering with anxiety and/or depression for a month now
iv been to my gp today and he has gave me a prescription for escitalopram
iv researched the medication and im a bit scared to start taking it because the symptoms i have already are the same as the side effects that escitalopram have
is it worth me giveing the medication a go or to not start on it all together

also today i was told about st. john wort herbal medicine, was just wondering if anyone has tried it or knows anything about it?

thanks
richard

[Robbed]

i have been suffering with anxiety and/or depression for a month now

That's not a long time to be suffering from depression/anxiety. I think that, at this time, medication is NOT a good move. I would suggest that you try nonpharmaceutical treatments first (ie CBT, self-help books, exercise, diet, etc). Furthermore, anxiety often resolves itself after a time. And I firmly believe that, in this case, medication stops this from happening. If you seem to be getting better with time (regardless of how slowly), DEFINITELY don't take meds. The bottom line: try other things first. You can always try medication down the road if you still want to go this route. But given that medications are not extremely effective, often have significant side effects, and have the potential to cause dependency issues (even so-called 'nonaddictive' SSRI/SNRI medications can cause SERIOUS withdrawal when discontinuing - sometimes even when slowly tapered) AND given the fact that medications will NEVER cure you (and might prevent natural healing), I think that you shouldn't just jump into it.

As for St John's Wort, in many ways, it is just a milder SSRI. Side effects are less serious, but can still occur and be significant. Again, I would try other things (such as those I mentioned above) before taking St John's Wort.