First time on anti depressants

Hello all I recently started taking escitalopram 5mg for anexity and depression. I have suffered for years but always managed it with exercise and good eating recently though I've struggled and sought help from the doctor. I'm due to have the dose increase to 10mg next week.

I had a few side effects that went away after about 3 days so no problems there however my mood is all over the place. The first few days I felt nothing then I had a great day where I felt content and happy and genuine excitement playing with my daughter and it felt great then I was back down again for a few days. Yesterday again I felt great happy and excited about life. Today I'm up and down by the hour one minute I'm depressed then next I'm ok.

This is my first time taking any anti depressants is this normal? I've been taking them for 3 weeks and one day today.

Hi and welcome! It can take anything from 4 to 6 weeks for meds to kick in so keep hanging in there. The same with any dosage increases. And don't lose hope if these don't work, it takes some people a few tries to find a med that works for them.

It's the up and down that's bothering me. Is this a normal part of the adjustment period?

It could be or it could be the depression. Hopefully it will level off whem the meds kick in. Can you try something to distract yourself when the up and downs start to bother you?

Hi and welcome (hi). Unfortunately there's no 'normal' with depression or medication as we all react differently. You'll probably find, in the list of side effects, that your meds will list fatigue and hyperactivity - not at the same time but both possible, for instance. So, as Jaq says, hang in there for the next few weeks. If you don't settle, though, make sure you go back to your Drs.

How are you feeling now? Any change?