Hi Nicole
Oh bless you, you have been through the wringer. I feel for you.
Firstly, please understand that this medication and all other SSRI like Prozac are NOT addictive. You can take them for life if need to.
These types of medications will give you extreme side effects - we've all had them. You normally get worse before you get better. It's normal. Get through the side effects and you'll find this medication will work for you.
Please note that awful and weird thoughts are all part of depression, and believe me, once you get past all the side effects on this medication and out the other side, these thoughts will disappear. I've been there myself and know exactly what you're talking about. When we're anxious, we get strange thoughts, and these stick because our minds are tired. They're a symptom of depression and anxiety. Just let the thoughts be there, don't fight them, but remind yourself that they WILL go when the medication starts to kick in.
Recovery takes a long time, so you need lots of patience. Don't try and hurry it along - it'll do it in it's own time. You'll have many ups and downs along the way but this is normal. Even when you get bad times, this means the medication is working and you'll come out of it. It's how the medication works.
People take medicine for all sorts of illness in life ie diabetes, epilepsy etc and this illness is no different.
The first few weeks will be real tough, but keep going and you'll reap the benefits. Promise.
Dont be in a hurry and up your dose thinking you aren't getting better. You'll just give yourself more side effects. Just let the dose you're taking settle in, and pass on through it.
Ive taken these for 15 years and I recovered from severe depression on them. 5 years ago I lost both my parents within weeks of each other, and though I was shocked and grieved for them for a long time, I found my depression didn't return which I thought it would at that difficult time. I'm sure that taking my medication helped and I was able to mourn properly as anyone else would, without being tipped back into my depressive illness.
I wish you all the luck, and please keep in touch as people can support you on this site.
K xx