I tried everything natural before moving to medication and both my psychiatrist and therapist said they were shocked at how much I did first 
I was TERRIFIED to try it due to possible side effects. But I’m really glad I did!
I was on and off anti-depressants in my 20s but never really gave them a chance. Plus they were interacting with all my other recreational substances.
Now fully sober, I committed to trying a year on meds which I have long known would probably help me. My year is up this April and I will probably stick with them for a while after that.
The sense of ease I feel in my day to day interactions is extremely welcome.
I am on Escitalopram (the substance in Lexapro) currently on a 20 mg dose as winter was heavy.
I’ve been taking it since 2016 and I’m fine with it. During hard times I up it, when life & me become more stable again I decrease it. My shrink and I have been through various scenarios in my life, from 5 mg (the very low maintenance dose when life is super fine) to 30 mg (when life was batshit crazy and I was not allowed to kill my then soon to be ex).
When my anxiety hits, I need additional medication, but for my general quality of life and depression prevention it works very well.
I got accustomed to the fact that I will need it in a low dose for the rest of my life as I do start spiraling again slowly after several weeks completely off it. I tried it supervised by my shrink because I’m hopefully over the fucking menopause and wanted to give my body a pure opportunity to recalibrate. There are some benefits I really like off it, but in the long run my brain is not able to maintain a proper quality of emotional stability on the daily without medication. So it be for me 
I was on Escitalapram for years then it kinda stopped working for me. I’m now on Sertraline and it’s, so far, working nicely in tandem with my HRT (Progesterone and Oestrogen). Long may this continue. But I would 100% lean into any meds needed for mental health. It’s chemistry.
I keep debating about going on Lexapro again (was drinking previously on it). I also was on Wellbutrin years ago, which I credit with assisting with an added kick to finally quit smoking cigarettes for good. I took it for about 7 months.
I do take anti anxiety meds situationally as needed and am grateful for them.
Love all these.
I am on a low dose of sertraline and it helps a lot. I‘m planning to take it as long as I am in perimenopause.
So beautiful and so true 
