2 YEARS on Lexapro (escitalopram) Update: Progress, Life Impact, 'Chemical Imbalance' Theory 

I started lexi around six months ago, and the time does fly, because I'm so busy living my life, instead of being paralyzed by anxiety and depression. I hope to get off someday, but I don't mind if I stay on it forever, because, man, I feel better.

It's been 10th day on lexapro for me and things are drastically changed for me, I'm feeling alive, happy and calmer :)

2 months ago I started Lexapro and after taking the first pill I came to RU-vid to see what other had to say about it, u were the first one I watched so u will forever be a special person to me. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your experience and be open. ❤❤❤

I think alot of side effects come from us reading up on them because we subconsciously look for them and associate it with the meds.

I am 46 and Escitalopram (Lexapro) was life changing. My father had debilitating anxiety, including panic disorder, so I do believe there is a genetic component. I did not start meds until 40 years old. I tried every “natural” compound: valerian, L theanine, SAM-E, passionflower, every vitamin known to man, I think you’re getting an idea… I wish I would have been on medication 20 years sooner. I do believe the trajectory of my life would have been different. I also learned in school, both undergraduate & graduate school, that the chemical imbalance theory is incorrect. Even in studies on rats that obviously have no imbalance, they become more resilient. I think having more serotonin available creates resiliency, and I think studies show that it also changes the brain structure and encourages plasticity. We may not know exactly how it works but it does. I have stopped taking it and restarted a few times. My life is truly better while I am on it. As I told my friends and family, it restored my faith in western medicine.

Thank you for sharing your journey!

We went on Lexapro around the same time within a few months and I remember watching your videos for comfort and understanding. It was extremely helpful and helped me feel normal. I have finished 4 more semesters while Active Duty Navy and have served on multiple ship platforms. My social life has extremely expanded to where I'm out and about with friends and dates to where I'm no longer stuck on the computer or living as a recluse.

So happy for you!

Thankyou soo much maam for uploading this vide, i was desperately waiting for it.

Brilliant video, keep making videos like this and helping other people.

Thank you for sharing your story! It's good to know how much it helped you and the overall experience taking an SSRI.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. I finally got my prescription yesterday, after suffering for a little over two years! I hope it’ll work for me as well 🙏

I have been on lexapro for two weeks. The first few days were hell! I had extreme nausea, headaches, and crazy panic attacks! I wanted to quit so badly but I didn’t. I push through and I am so glad I did. I feel normal again. Yes I do still get anxious but I am able to calm myself down quickly. Lexapro gave me back my life. I highly recommend to those struggling with anxiety.

I just got prescribed lexapro today and I am so relieved I came across your videos! I appreciate you! 💜

Been on it for a few months now and no side affects. I felt nauseous two days for the first week but that was it. This medication is God send I wish I knew about it 20 years ago. It changed my life. If you start this medication don’t quit if you feel sick at first cause it will pass and it will be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself.

Good for you. Awesome. I have just started on lexapro for 5 days now. I see the improvement in you from your video updates. Gives me lots of hope. Thank you

I'm on day 4 of Lexapro and your videos are very inspiring and give me hope...

Hey Hannah, I wanted you to know that your videos have really helped me a lot! This past year has been the most stressful year of my life and now that everything's calmed down I found myself with residual side effects and high anxiety was one of them. I went to my doctor and she couldn't really find a cause, but while we're looking into other things, she offered to prescribe me Lexapro, just a very low dosage. I was nervous about whether or not to take it and I found your videos and thought they were so helpful and informative and transparent that I accepted the prescription. However, I haven't taken it yet because I was also taking St. John's Wort and needed to be off of that for a couple weeks before I could take the Lexapro and I found that much of my anxiety has faded as well as my energy has been up so I think I was probably just having a sensitivity to St. John's wort 😳 so I'm still waffling as to whether or not to take the Lexapro only because I'm not sure whether or not I need it anymore, but I have it and if I decide I need it, I'm not afraid to take it because of your helpful videos. Thank you for all you do!

You’re a smart cookie Hannah. You give me faith in humanity! ❤

Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I’ve been on antidepressants for almost 2 years now too!! I also had some constipation on a medicine I used to take and my doctor recommend taking a supplement like psyllium husk fiber and magnesium citrate. I also occasionally used senna.

I’m on day four of sertraline (Zoloft) and was so nervous to start. Your videos really calmed my nerves about medication and made me feel okay with the idea of starting. I have been suffering since I was very young and at 22 I finally have hope that I can get better. Thank you for making these videos that help reduce the stigma around medication. I am so happy that you have seen benefits from lexapro and hope you continue to thrive!

Thank you for sharing! I’m on day 7 of Lexapro & I came here looking for some hopeful stories. I’m looking forward to a few months from now when I can feel the impacts of Lexapro more clearly. 😊

Thanks for update! Been following your lexapro videos lately so this was great timing

I’ve been SO reluctant to get on anti-anxiety meds, despite years of my therapist suggesting I consider it. Your videos have been really helpful. Im gonna try it. Thank you

Thank you I just got switched to this medication. I’m hoping it works with me because I enjoy the feeling as you said “feeling like myself “.

So nice to see how your meditation is helping you so much ,you seem and sound so happy .I am on welbrutron do not feel it is helping .I was on Zoloft for years and it did help .Been feeling like I really need a change . Your videos are very helpful Thanku 🌹

Thank you for your honest review! i bought this pill as a prescription from my therapist because of my gad and ocd but before taking them i've decided to check some feedbacks, and yes as u said, everybody says it's awful etc. which make me more anxious and im scary to take them... but after watching your video i'm more calm and have more courage to start this journey! I think i'll come back here after few months to share my experience, thank you again

Thank you for the video! I just took my first half. I how it goes well. I just wanna feel happiness and not be snippy and worry constantly.

Thank you so much for making this video. I struggle with depression & anxiety. You inspire me to become a better person

Lexapro is a plus in my life as well I feel I’ve regained control over my life doing so much better at work more energy odd enough back on my fitness journey loss 15 pounds and still losing the days are a lot brighter and calmer I started off on 10 mg my psychiatrist took it up to 20 but for me 15 mgs is the sweet spot for me 20 kinda makes me irritable if you are considering to start or continue go for it give it a good try be consistent and one day things will be more clear for you thanks for the update 😃

@Hannah Wow! I stumbled across one of your other videos & then watched this one. I am so glad I did, because you've given me the confidence about Lexapro! I've recently started Lexapro a couple weeks ago. I am a young 53yr old 😉😁 and have mdd & anxiety & was always finding myself to be very emotional about anything & everything & would burst out crying when I'd be talking about certain things or constantly be thinking I'm going to die around the age of 55yrs old of lung cancer like my Dad did (since I take after my Dad in so many ways, I'm literally a carbon copy of him-except the the female version lol) & since he passed away at the young age of 55yrs old, he had lung cancer, he actually died of Pneumonia, but he would have died of lung cancer had he not gotten pneumonia 😔😭) So, since I am nearing that age I have have been obsessing about the idea of getting cancer & dying & it scares the hell out of me. Trust me I do not want to be thinking this way or be randomly having these thoughts, I don't want to die and leave my children & Grandchildren - they are my life and all I have in this world!! Prior to these thoughts I have always struggled with depression & anxiety from an array of issues from my past, and have tried 2 different anti-depression medications a couple yrs. ago, but they did nothing for me, and all my Doctor would do was increase the dosage & again I kept telling her that they do not work (they were two different ones given obviously). And, in fact they didn't even work in my body.... I told my doctor & it was like she didn't believe me so, she did a test on me to see what medications worked in my body & what ones didn't & when the test came back - the look on her face what like "omgoodness, she was telling me the truth!" (I can't stand it when doctors don't believe me!) So, she prescribed a different medication.... That one too didn't work.... She obviously didn't pay attention to the test! In fact all 3 medications, all they did was make my hair fall out - one of the side effects!! Which added to my depression!!!! Fast fwd to now Dec 17, 2022 I told her I wanted to try another anti-depressant that works in my body (if you can refer to the test you had me take a couple yrs ago) & one that doesn't have a side effect of hair fall out!! She immediately said "anti-depressants don't make your hair fall out" argh! I wasn't going to argue with her! She didn't remember the test, but she went to her office to look for it & found it & then prescribed me Lexapro 10mg. The only side effect I was worried about was/is weight gain.... However, if this works I will be grateful and, your videos have given me hope! I'm sorry I have shared so-ooo much personal information, but I just felt compelled to do so. Thank you very much! God bless you! 💖~Sarah 🙌 🎉Happy New Year!!🎊

I remember starting Lexapro at the same time as you and your videos were so helpful back then. I'm glad it's worked well for you! You're doing so much with your life. Thanks for the update :)

Thanks for sharing Hannah - I'm glad I subscribed to you after watching your previous vids. I've been on 20mg of Lexapro for 6 months and found it similarly life changing. I have periodic thoughts about coming off and then remember what depression used to feel like and what an enormous gamble that would be. Wishing you abundant wellbeing and with gratitude for another brave share!

I went on setraline around ten years ago. It really helped level me out, my anxiety was always under control. I've tried to come off twice and struggled with severe anxiety only months later. I'm back on for two days now and really struggling. I'm confident I'll start feeling better soon. Thanks for your review, it's appreciated.

I'm so glad I watched this video. Today is my 6th day taking Escitlopram. I have ocd and gad which was impacting my life so much to the point that even tho everything in my life was great, the anxiety, obsession and intrusive thoughts and compulsions ruined everything. I was rarely able to relax, it was extremely hard for me to "wind down" after a busy day, the only thing that could relieve me was alcohol. Therapy wasn't enough, meditation wasn't sustainable, I had no other option. So far I have noticed some positive effects of these meds, today for the first time ever I was able to leave the door of my bedroom open without checking or spending 20 mins checking if it was closed. I was able to leave my bedroom easily. My mind has been more silent. Yes i still have been getting some intrusive thoughts still but they are not as intense and don't come up as often. I am slowly finding relief. I feel like for the first time i can have a healthy relationship with alcohol. I am giving up drugs because i no longer need them to escape. I finally feel like i will be able to live my life without fear of uncertainty ruining everything. the only difference between me and Hannah is that i was numb before meds and never cried, could rarely feel much at all, so i used drugs or alcohol to feel, but i would still have anxious thoughts... maybe the meds will help me to regulate my emotions. will update after a month :)

inner peace and sanity is EVERYTHING

I'm so happy to see you thrive!!! I'm on different meds (venlaflaxine) and I've been taking it for over 3 years - there's been some mild side-effects, but the benefits are so so worth it. We do need to battle the stigma and you're doing such a great work with this.

Hellloooo please post more, watching you makes my day all the more better. I LITERALLY REMEMBER WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS BEFORE TAKING MY MEDS A YEAR AGO AND FEELING FINE :) YES THIS ABSOLUTELY IS MY SAFE SPACE. I love your content ❤❤ so gald you are feeling better, you deserve it absolutely:) and I love your personality sooo much

Hi! I saw your videos when I started lexapro 16 months ago and all was exactly how you describe it. That said I started weaning off and stopped taking it 8 days ago. Side effects have been mild. First few days I experience bouts of energy and was no longer feeling sleepy after lunch as much, although thats something normal. I still have all the knowledge and confidence I gained while on medication. No brain zaps besides just one. Constipation is gone and due to all the high fiber food I was eating to counter the meds...well...lets say Im much much more regular now. As for the anxiety...it feels weird. Like my body can get anxious, but my heart and brain are steady and dont go into panic mode. I also have been running a lot which I feel is what helps me the most (in my case). I confess i didnt want to get off due to fears of reverting back, but so far so good. Thank you so much for these videos. You have made a difference in a lot of peoples lives.

Thank you so much for this video. I just started on lexapro today

I’m glad you make these videos. Been struggle for awhile and just got prescribed lexapro and came home and searched it up and you popped up! Very informative:) thank you!

I've been on 10mg escitalopram for 21 years since I was 20...I've tried to come off them a couple of times but end up back at square one, I can't function without them. They take the edge off my anxiety and low mood allowing me to live.

Starting this Rx today. Very nervous but excited and hopeful.

Thanks for the update, I’ve been on Cymbalta for 6 months, I’m thinking of asking my doctor about Lexapro

Thank you so much for sharing! I just started taking Lexapro and I’m nervous but excited for the results!

Hey! I saw you deleted most of your videos.. Please don't do this, I mean I know it's your personal decision and please.. I loved your channel soooooo much. I watched your videos on anxiety and it's meds which gave me courage to seek help. I followed your journey, your book recommendations etc. I hope you're doing well.. I just wanted to send love..

Thank you for the update.

Thank you very much for your valuable experience Hannah 😻🙏. When I started taking lexapro over a year ago, looking at your videos gave me hope. It also took away a lot of anxiety from me and even if depression is always present, especially before menstruation, now I face my demons with more courage, I'm more stable. In addition to 20 mg of Lexapro, I started Zoely a few days ago for severe premenstrual dysphoria, I really hope to be able to get my life back 100% 🧡

Thank you so much for making this video. I have really been struggling lately with anxiety and it shows that it can be overcome and it's possible to have a more normal life.

im coming up on my 1 year on lexapro next week! your update videos have been so helpful, especially when i was first starting your 1 month update gave me so much encoragement through the initial bad side effects. Thanks so much for sharing your journey and being so open with us

This video makes me feel there is hope! I struggle with anxiety and panic attacks I’m a mother so need to be good for them, will start lexapro ❤

Good video again , thanks Hannah 😊

I am about to start on Lexapro for anxiety and your videos really helped me. I didn't know I had anxiety until I heard others like yourself speak about your symptoms and I thought, "ME, TOO!" I constantly worry about different relationships in my life, I latch on to one tiny detail/moment/thought/words and can't stop obsessing and worrying about it. Your videos made me feel less alone and also hopeful for my future on Lexapro.

I'm so glad that I came across this video. I was on Lexapro for about 8-9 months first at 10 mg and then at 20 mg. It was like I was a whole new person: calmer, more productive, better sleep, more stable and more assertive. However, the side effects I was experiencing at 20 mg started to outweigh the benefits so I went off of them. Fast forward to now, it's been almost two years since I stopped Lexapro and my anxiety/general mental health has been all over the place, but really began declining since May 2022 with the decline impacting my relationships. Now I think I'm going to go back on 10 mg starting tomorrow as I think I've reached a point where medication along with healthy diet, exercise, yoga and meditation can get me to a better place. Thank you for this video :)

Started lex 3.5 weeks ago and still struggling. Giving it time- praying it works for me. Thanks for making this video ❤

gracias por este video. Te ves muy feliz. GRACIAS Y MIL VECES GRACIAS

It makes me feel nice to hear that I'm not the only one struggling. Ot is my third day taking Lexapro and I feel awful. I'm lethargic, nauseous, and my anxiety tends to keep me up at night. Hopefully it gets better. 🙏

I just started Lexapro 10mg about 1 month ago and so far I like it. I may not be getting the full effect as of yet but I am feeling better anxiety wise.

thank you for the update

Started taking this today after having the meds for a day and debating with myself if i should take it. I decided to start taking it, side effects i’ve felt so far is Nausea, blurry eye sight, tiredness and teeth clenching. Hopefully i get through it and start seeing the good benefits like you have.

Yes! I take lexi too! It's been over 10 years. I've weened off a few times, but ended up back on. After about 2 months of not being on it...I started losing interest in all the things I started doing while I was on it, like school, yoga, event planning...I know i love all those things! So it doesn't make sense why I would just lose interest in pretty much everything. So thanyou for sharing. I won't be going off it. I have no side effects either.

First 🙂 thank you for the update

I'm on my second day of Lexapro. I'm military, and I think my body/perception has adjusted so much to being depressed/anxious that ive used workaholism as my primary coping mechanism, which isn't healthy at all. I want to feel comfortable enough to have friends again. I hope this works.

Omg thanks girl yes I watched ur start I start October used it for 1 year I got off excatley a year later I just stopped cold Turkey I still felt depressing it just kept me in bed longer n I was able stop 🛑 then again I was sick felt like maybe COVID I dunno I was sick all of December January now got better so proud of y gurl so proud ur school etc yes u news medicine now

last Friday I had my therapist appointment, and she brought up may be being on a SSRI, and I was very against it, but now I’m thinking about it, because I am dealing with anxiety every single day, and I hate it so much and I need something to cope and to help me with it. I think I might try it but I’m scared of the side effects. I don’t want more anxiety than I already have because it feels debilitating. I’m not sure which medicine she will put me on but I think your videos have helped me a lot to see your perspective. Thank you. 😊

I been on the drug for maybe 10 years ? i tried twice coming off of it and it wasn't a good idea.... i thought I could deal with everything because I was feeling so good then a few months later "life" happens , and you get hit back with extreme anxiety . Then going BACK on the drug I had the horrible side affects and increased anxiety for 2-3 weeks til the drug kicks in again and then the calm. I'd say if you need it , stay on it ! there's no shame in needing these drugs. I don't plan to ever attempt to ween off them unless recommended by my doctor. It has greatly improved my life. Good luck to everyone

Thanks for sharing I'm debating the pros and cons too I'm really scared of side effects like, nausea, sleepiness and weight gain those are the three main things I'm worried about I currently have beta blockers which I take when I get my anxiety attacks glad to see the medicine helped you

Its super that you benefit so much from your AD. You mentioned weaning off when the time is right, have you ever heard of the malignant withdrawal symptoms if you doing it the wrong way? That you even have to take smaller doses than the ones they have? Have you heard of dr Mark Horowitz , who published several controversial studies. But also did great research on a secure tapering regimen?

Thank you. I have started my 10 mg of Lexapro, it's only been 5 days. It is an encouraging message how positive you sound. I'm looking forward to more positive results for myself. I was struggling with Anxiety and Depression. Thank you for your encouragement.

Unsolicited advice from a random subscriber: don't torment yourself with thoughts about when you can or should get off. I do the exact same thing to myself. The answer I've made peace with is: "I'll get off when psychiatry has a better drug and/or cure for chronic depression and anxiety."Until then why would I possibly spit in the face of hundreds of years of medical science by refusing to take something that helps." I believe that if you need an SSRI taking it is a basic self care RESPONSIBILITY!!

Thank you so much!!!!!

I've been on Lexapro for about 6 weeks and I feel thar, for me personally, it's a wonder drug.

today was my first day on lexapro, after many many years of constant anxiety and depression. i cannot wait to see a difference, though i am afraid of it a bit as well, because i can't even imagine what being "well" is like anymore, it feels like ive been this way all my life even though that's not true

Thank you soo much 😊

Wow I wish o was able to get all of that but I did think about going back to school and push things aside instead swelling on them Goodluck girl

Been taking it for over a year now. It is so hard to decide what is cause and what is correlation of the medication. As humans we constantly evolve and our settings are also changing but I definetly feel less extreme stress or fear. Though I personally also lack a lot of motivation and purpose. I don’t feel bad but I also kinda just wanna god to bed and read a book all the time.

Happy 2023 🎉 girl so proud of U with school the babies kids ur channel wow girl I’m 36 and have none of that just my own small business building my credit savings I’m home w my parents no bills but I can’t imagen having to do so much Wow girl another house !!

I'm soon coming up on 15 years of escitalopram. My panic attacks are worse and far more frequent than ever (several times daily) and my life is pretty much in shambles. I would estimate that my symptoms are about 10 times worse than when I got on the medication in my late teens. I don't know if it's the SSRIs that made it worse but what I do know is that I can't stop. The withdrawl is absolutely horrible. Dizziness, electric shocks in the brain, depersonalisation, anxiety, tachycardia, vomiting, sweating and problems with balance. I could go on and on. Tried to get off for 6 months and those 6 moths were the worst period of my life. I feel doctors just keep on prescribing year after year but nobody really knows how it affects the brain in the long term. If I could go back in time I would try to get to the root cause of my panic attacks and anxiety and try to fix that instead of turning to medication.

Crazy thing is i got on lexapro back in 2008 it was only a trial but i remember being so calm when i took it. Now im scared to take it again im scared of getting worse anxiety. Im not sure why my mind thinks like this but im terrified. I also dont want to gain any more weight than what i already have

thanks so much

Hey! I love your videoes and would love to see them for more info about the medication. But did u remove many of ur videoes? Thought there where more...

Gawd I've been on Lexapro for 18 years and I do get tired during the day , it's a good medication vs all the others less side effects for me personally then others .. I think as long as it's working for you then you shouldn't worry about coming off of it .. if you get to the point you want to try to stop it and you think youre at that point then try it ofcourse with the help of your Dr.. ..you can always go back on :-)

Hello Hannah, does it still help you? I'm really happy that it helped you so much!

I just started buspirone on Saturday so far so good

I was prescribed Lexapro as I am having a debilitating fatigue , constantly tired and I am aware I do have lots of anxiety. Is actually affecting my performance at work and most importantly the thing I want to do with my daughter like taking her to the park , to her friend's bday and just simple things that for me is a very anxious situation, still i.will.do but I am like I am gonna pass out . I hope Lexapro helps with this fatigue and you video really helped me to take that decition . I will start on the weekend. Thank you

Hi What time you take your le erró? Thank you for making this videos.

Wow. Your a very busy person. I am on ssdi being on prob on way too many meds. I think I just started my 8 th med. I don’t know if it’s normal to be on this many at once. Maybe I need all of them. But anyhow I’m going to go pick up lexapro today. Yeppp. Btw any side effects after 2 yrs lingering?

I had a psychotic episode almost a year ago.I am on risperidone, lamotrigine and now few days back I told my doctor that I don't feel happy.He started escitalopram.I hope it works for me.

Im starting tomorrow tomorrow wish me luck guys I’m very nervous

Hi Hannah, thanks for sharing your experience. Quick question, do you feel lexapro has affected your memory or critical thinking?

I’m so sorry if this question is too personal. But if you don’t mind me asking, did it affect your libido in any way? I’m ready to take on Lexapro, my body is just so worn out from always being on edge, constantly worrying about anything and everything. And I’m ready to give my mind body and soul a break. I’ve always been so worried about sx, one being increased anxiety and the low sex drive. Being intimate with my partner is something we both are very passionate about and I would hate for that to change for us. Although at this point I’m just ready to start it and figure it out on my own bc of how impatient I am to feel better 😢

I started on 10 I’m going try again I been off since almost 4 months now but my doctor gave me 20mg I feel to strong she told me to break it my insurance didn’t cover 15 mg I am buying a pill cuter from Amazon now me trying to break and cut the pills w my hands or knife just doesn’t work the same then I gotta start taking it again starting fresh I picked up my prescription refil yesterday I’m going try again

Does it help with being emotional numb , dossociation etc ? I feel like a robot and want to find a med that helps .

Todays gonna be my first day. I got so anxious staring at the bottle but I’m starting the journey with all of you now I guess. Here goes nothing.

I have attention problem that's why i went to doctor and he gave this medicine,,,,does lexapro improve attention???

My doctor has prescribed Lexapro many times and I never take it because I'm afraid of the side effects but most of all I'm worried about becoming dependent on it. I already take Oxycodone and Clonazepam and feel horrible whenever I try to come off of them. This is so bad 😔... One thing I know for sure is that I can't deal with depression anymore, I need to feel better like yesterday. This is affecting my daily life, I feel sad, anxious and mad at everything, anything and worst of all at nothing. I know it sounds weird but that's exactly how I feel and I hate it!!!

Lexapro made me sick for 3 weeks so I stopped it about a year ago Now 2 days ago I started the genetic brand no sickness so far 5 mg Im hopefully that this time the sickness stays away but I will stick it out this time because my life is so crap right now

Ive been on 5mg for 8 weeks and feel worse anxiety than when I started. Tried to go up to 7.5mg but that made things even worse. Ive had good moments on 5mg for a few hours some days, but other than that it seems like it only makes things worse:(

Been on lexapro for 6 weeks 5mg to 7.5mg after 3 weeks. Anxiety and depression have only gotten worse. My body is like shutting down im so fatigued and dizzy all the time. Moving makes me anxious and nauseous. Everyone says to stick it out, but I dont see how I can stick this out without like dying first haha

Is there a reason you want to ween off of it? Like is it because of the long term effects (if any) that are concerning? i.e. like heart disease, liver disease, etc.?