Do Antidepressants Change Your Personality? 4 Myths Debunked

Antidepressants — they’re well-researched, they can be effective in treating conditions like depression and anxiety, and they’re also … highly stigmatized.

Whether your friends have told you horror stories about their antidepressant journeys or you’ve doomscrolled into a scary part of the internet that says all antidepressants are bad, it’s understandable that anyone might have reservations about taking these types of drugs.

However, if you’re dealing with persistent depression or anxiety, and it’s affecting your daily life, here are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to fill that prescription.

What are antidepressants?  

Antidepressants are medications that treat depression (yes, the name gives it away). They’re also used to treat conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more.

“I tend to recommend these medications to people who aren’t functioning well day to day because of their anxiety or depression symptoms,” says Susanne Weber, MD, a psychiatrist and clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

While there are several different types of antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the most commonly prescribed medications.

SSRIs are thought to affect you by stopping serotonin (the chemical in your brain that helps you feel happier) from being reabsorbed in your cells, in turn making more serotonin available to you. More serotonin (hopefully) means experiencing more joy. Drugs like citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) are a few common SSRIs that doctors often prescribe.

SNRIs are similar, except they also help increase both serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps you feel pleasure. More pleasure and joy chemicals in the brain is like a one-two punch to those persistent depressive feelings. Duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor) and desvenlafaxine (Pristiq) are some common ones.

4 common questions and myths about antidepressants

The science explains how the drugs work, but there’s endless conversation around how they affect the body, the brain and the risks involved with taking them. Plus, what will people say?  

All the chatter makes it that much harder to decide to start (or stop) taking them, but we’ve got you covered.  

Will my personality change?

Short answer: No — your personality will not change when you’re on antidepressants. In fact, many people have the opposite experience.  

“When the medication improves symptoms of depression and anxiety, people will often say, ‘I feel like myself again,’” says Weber.

You might be more extroverted with friends or more patient in stressful situations. Your core essence — the elements that make you you — won’t be touched by the medication.  

“It’s normal to be scared, and so many people are for various reasons,” says Lily Assaad, PhD, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the UW School of Medicine. “A lot of times, what I find in my patients after they’ve started on an antidepressant is that there are good changes. Their behavior improves in a way they like, and the positive personality traits that already exist can be amplified.”

Plus, you might already be doing things to treat your depression that could be described as mood- or behavior-modifying. Do you drink a hot cup of calming tea every night? Use cannabis to soothe anxiety? It’s a similar thing.

“If you’re comfortable with ingesting something that you know will make you less stressed, then you’re already comfortable ingesting a substance,” says Assaad. “Medication is a lot more controlled, and with the help of a doctor or psychiatrist, you’re able to stabilize your moods long-term.”

Will I have to be on antidepressants for the rest of my life?

Don’t worry — if you start antidepressants, you won’t have to be on them for the rest of your life. Some people choose to take their medications indefinitely, but that’s not always the case.

“Sometimes we’ll recommend that a person consider staying on medication long-term if they’ve had repeated episodes of depression or anxiety that have really made life difficult,” says Weber. “Our goal is to prevent the next episode from happening.”

But if you have a conversation with your doctors and feel you are in a healthy space and no longer need the medication, you can stop taking it … slowly. 

Your doctor or psychiatrist will help you safely taper off your medication over time. It may take some work — weaning off an antidepressant can be difficult, frustrating and come with symptoms like night sweats, stomach problems, an electric shock-like sensation in your head (aka “brain zaps”) and more.

Note: It can be dangerous to suddenly stop taking your medication, so make sure to work with your doctor to help avoid those symptoms. It’s not dangerous because the medications themselves are dangerous, but just like you wouldn’t suddenly stop taking your high blood pressure medication, you shouldn’t suddenly stop taking your antidepressants, either.

Suddenly discontinuing your medication can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and more, but working with your doctor to slowly taper off your dose can prevent the sudden onset of these symptoms.

Does taking antidepressants mean I’m broken?

The stigma around antidepressants is a very real thing and can understandably make anyone feel a little cautious when considering the medication. Maybe you’ve heard or thought something like, “Taking antidepressants means I’m weak, broken or not strong enough to handle things on my own.” Assaad, however, says there’s a way to reframe those thoughts.

“If you are considering taking antidepressants, this means you are educated or open to being educated about the science of these medications,” says Assaad. “I also like to normalize it with my patients and say, ‘Look all around you. You’re going to see physicians and professors and CEOs who are on antidepressants because they know it makes them a better person, partner, parent and professional.”

Another way to look at it is to compare it to how you’d take medicine for a headache.  

“Acetaminophen, while generally safe, comes with side effects,” says Assaad. “You wouldn’t judge me or call me weak for needing to take acetaminophen for a headache. When there is an option to feel relief and joy, you should be able to take it, shame-free.”  

Are antidepressants the only option to treat depression?

If you still don’t want to take antidepressants, that’s OK too. Many people prefer to see if they can treat their symptoms in different ways.

“Psychotherapy is an excellent alternative to medication for mild and moderate major depression, and for the treatment of anxiety disorders,” says Weber.

When you’re looking for a therapist, Assaad says to be picky.

“Look for folks who are certified in evidence-based treatments like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), prolonged exposure for trauma treatment (PE) or other modalities that you feel might help with your treatment,” says Assaad.

And if the therapist you pick isn’t a fit, don’t suffer through your sessions — it’s totally OK to break up with them and find one that better fits your needs.

In addition to talk therapy, Weber says there is good evidence that regular exercise can help treat mood and anxiety symptoms. Bonus points if you do your workout outside or take a day to go forest bathing.

Here’s the caveat: If you find that you’re still not feeling better after incorporating exercise and therapy into your weekly routine, your doctor might recommend combining these methods with an antidepressant.

“I’ll strongly recommend an antidepressant for someone who is severely depressed, especially if they’re thinking about suicide,” says Weber.

So, the TL;DR here is, there are many ways to tackle your depressive symptoms without an antidepressant, some of which can be just as effective as the medication. However, if your symptoms are severe and it’s affecting your daily life — or threatening your literal life — your doctor might step in to recommend an antidepressant.

The risks of taking antidepressants

Any medication you take will come with a risk. For antidepressants, these risks can include side effects like insomnia, dizziness, loss of libido, weight gain, headaches and more. Assaad says that while it’s important to consider these side effects, don’t let the fear of them stop you from trying the medication if it’s something you’re considering.

“Your doctor will start you on a low dose, which won’t make sudden changes to your body,” says Assaad. “You won’t be forced to take something you’re not comfortable with. You’re in control of whether or not you take the medication. Also, chances are, rather than a dramatic difference, it’s more likely you won’t feel anything when you start.”  

Some risks, however, are severe and worth noting. Primarily, some people can experience suicidal thoughts or actions when starting an antidepressant. If you start an antidepressant and start to have suicidal thoughts, or your suicidal thoughts worsen, it’s time to go back to your doctor.

Of course, not every medication is going to work for every person. If a medication makes you feel sick or more depressed, let your doctor know. Like Assaad says — you’re in control.

Making the decision

Maybe an antidepressant can help you get the most out of your psychotherapy and other mood treatments, or maybe you begin to thrive with therapy alone. Either way, the most important thing is making sure you’re getting help and support with your symptoms.

“Untreated depression can have big consequences, not only to a person’s happiness, but to their overall well-being,” says Weber. “Not treating your depression or anxiety can also prevent people from taking care of their health in the way they need to, such as exercise, taking other medications and coming to medical appointments.”

Ultimately, the decision is up to you if you want to take antidepressants or not. You deserve to live a fulfilling, warm life — not live under a perpetual storm cloud.