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 YouTube 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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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.

inner peace and sanity is EVERYTHING

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

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. 😊

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

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.

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!

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 :)