Not just SSRIs. I had a very bad experience with Mucinex D (or DM?) about 12 years ago, the first time I tried it. I can only imagine it was what clinical depression is like. For two days (until I stopped taking because I was so scared) I lost all interest in my life. I wasn't interested in my young children, ow my wife, or watching anything on TV I usually like, or playing a game. I was questioning my work life choices as well because nothing at work held the slightest interest. I would go home, do what was required of me, then sit in bed and stare at the wall until I went to bed.
That is, to this day, one of the scariest experiences in my life. I've since heard of one or two other people that had similar experiences with it.
[0]: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dextromethorphan see section on dependence and withdrawal
It’s not interchangeable with SSRIs, obviously.
IMO, the fear is not really about short-term negatives, but about it turning into drug abuse, without actually tackling the root cause.
Such drugs should only be used in extreme cases.
For example, adverse childhood experiences are highly correlated with depression. What's the underlying problem to tackle with a 50 year old adult who is depressed as a result of abuse as a child? Some things just change you and no amount of therapy can undo that
Not just slightly different. It can be extremely variable from person to person.
It’s well-known in medical research and clinical practice that medications likes SSRIs range from helpful to neutral to net negatives depending on the patients and situation. Sadly, too many people fixate on the potential negative side effects and avoid trialing treatments altogether.
For anyone suffering: It’s true that medications might not work out for you, but if they do address your condition and you’re one of the many people whose lives benefit greatly, then it would be tragic to avoid medications based on fear of potential negative outcomes.