"Will I Still Be Me?" 5 Common Myths About Antidepressants Debunked

The internet is full of horror stories about psychiatric medication. If you’ve been feeling hesitant about starting treatment, you’ve likely encountered myths that make antidepressants sound like "personality-altering" or "addictive" substances.

In my practice, I find that education is the best antidote to anxiety. Let’s look at the science behind the five most common myths I hear from patients.

Myth 1: "Antidepressants will change my personality."

The Reality: Antidepressants are designed to treat symptoms, not alter your core self. In fact, most of my patients report the opposite: they feel like they are finally getting their "real" selves back. Depression and anxiety often act like a heavy veil, and medication helps lift that veil so your actual interests, humor, and energy can resurface.

If someone ever does feel like this has happened, or that a medication is dulling their personality in some way, then I always say that this is a reason to reconfigure our treatment plan. A medication that truly works should not create new problems while solving another.

Myth 2: "They are addictive; once I start, I’ll never be able to stop."

The Reality: Antidepressants are not addictive in the way that nicotine or opioids are. They don't cause a "high" or a craving, and they cannot be abused in the way that a benzodiazepine can be, for example. While some people benefit from long-term support, many people safely stop these medications after 6-12 months. When it is time to stop, we work together to taper the dose slowly and safely to avoid any "discontinuation" symptoms.

Some people equate difficulty stopping antidepressants to addiction, but these are two very different issues. Addiction implies misuse, for one. Though these medications can, with time, cause a person to develop a physiological dependence or tolerance to them, this is something that can be worked through. Any medication, if stopped abruptly, can cause rebound or withdrawal effects, and antidepressants are no different. Suddenly stopping a blood pressure medication will also cause a spike in one’s blood pressure. The idea is to stop these medications slowly and safely to avoid any unpleasant withdrawal effects. See my previous post on the “Prozac Bridge” for one example of this.

Myth 3: "Taking medication is the 'easy way out' or a sign of weakness."

The Reality: You wouldn't tell a diabetic that taking insulin is "the easy way out." Mental health and physical health are one and the same. Most psychiatric conditions exhibit profound biological signs, both outwardly visible and seen through imaging such as fMRI. Medications have a measurable impact on the structure and function of the brain. They do not simply mask or dull symptoms, when used appropriately.

That said, medication is always most effective when combined with psychotherapy. It is usually not advisable to only start a medication by itself and expect it to solve everything for you.

Myth 4: "They will make me feel like a zombie or emotionally numb."

The Reality: If you feel "numb," the dose or the medication is likely not the right fit for you. Especially with SSRIs, this is a common complaint. Other medications, like benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and sometimes even stimulants, can have similar effects. This is never the goal, and should be considered an adverse effect.

This may be a sign that the medication itself is not a fit, the dose is possibly too high, or perhaps the need for medication has simply passed and we should begin discussing stopping it. If you feel dulled by your psychiatric medication, you should always bring this up during appointments with your psychiatrist.

Myth 5: "If the first one doesn't work, nothing will."

The Reality: Psychiatry is not "one size fits all." Everyone’s brain is unique, and psychiatric diagnoses have many causes. If the first medication we try doesn't provide relief, it doesn't mean you are "untreatable." It simply means we haven't found the right match yet. We have dozens of options and different classes of medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, etc.) to explore.

In psychiatry, a medication is also only as good as the diagnosis being treated. Sometimes, if someone has not responded to one or more medications, this is because the assumed diagnosis is incorrect. A thorough psychiatric evaluation, followed by ongoing treatment with a doctor who knows you well, is the best way to get to the bottom of this.

Ready to give medication a try? Schedule your initial appointment today.