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[Sazzle42115]

Hi all
Anyone experienced feeling like a completely different version of themselves? I no longer recognise who I am. Do you think antidepressants can change your personality?
I used to be quiet but with a sharp sense of humour funny patient and gentle. I now feel like a sharp impatient shell of myself who is struggling to find love for anyone. Saw a physciarist in the week who didn't believe in HRT/ testoterone improving low mood. Said that I was depressed and prescribed amitriptyline along with diazapam and sleeping tablets all of which I'm terrified to take as other ADs have left me in a terrible way. I would honestly take anything if I thought I would be like I was just 2 years ago this last 12 months has been a living nightmare.

[Kat36]

I can relate. I feel a complete shadow of my former self right now. My self-esteem has dipped & I feel needy and lack confidence which is so strange to me. I find myself a bit more snappy than the easy going person I was before. I’m trying to fake it at the minute til I make it when I’m around people…hoping I’ll be more myself soon. 
As regards antidepressants changing a personality I can only speak of my experience many years ago on them. I found they made me a big numb and boring(but did the job) but beyond that not too much change. When I came off them that change did not continue, I transitioned back to my ‘normal’ perky self.  I get the whole not wanting to take stuff…I hate been medicated. It makes me feel anxious in and of itself. 

[Vicky81]

Hi both
Yes I feel the same, although slightly better since starting duloxetine...now on 90mg.

Which AD were/are you both on?xx

[Lyncola]

This time last year I felt a shadow of myself, l just couldn’t seem to be happy. Even when my daughter came up to visit, I knew I should be happy, but with menopause. So many health problems and I was so sad and not myself.
In August I saw a neurologist because I was having 100 sharp quick facial pains and headaches a day.
I got put on amitriptyline started at 10mg and increased every fortnight. I’m now on 100mg, and it’s been a game changer for me. The headaches and facial pains have gone down to single numbers, I’m sleeping like a baby (a side effect of the medication which is a positive for me). And my mood, god I feel like me, I feel normal. And yes there is still health problems that I’m trying to sort like my fissure problems, but it’s so wonderful to feel normal in my mental health

[sheila99]

Are you sure you're on the right track? I had a personality transplant too, turned from laid back, happy and active to a snarling, short tempered couch potato. Mine was due to hormonal changes and am finally back to being 'me' (or at least 95% of me) with appropriate hrt and testosterone. If yours is due to oestrogen deficiency too ADs aren't appropriate treatment though some women find they need both. I was offered ADs too instead of hrt but refused it.
  Sorry, I know this isn't answering the question you asked.

[Clarella]

I’ve found hrt to be antidepressant like.

Even down to the crazy early
Morning dreams when I first started it.

[CLKD]

A Consultant should never dismiss another's choice of treatment.  That is simply bad practice and it sounds as though the Psychiatrists knows little about hormones.

He should have contacted your practitioner ..........

Hormones can cause alterations of temperment.  Dr Dalton did studies in the 1980s/90s about how pre-menstrual syndrome changes how women react.  She represented a few in Court when they had killed their mothers etc..  Due to intense rage prior to each period.  So yes, 1 can 'change' as hormones rise and fall.

My change was gradual.  From being someone who wouldn't say boo to a goose, I became a woman who would Take No Crap!  Don't mess with me ........ Perhaps a mood/food/symptom diary would be of use Sazzle .........

[Nas]

Yes I can relate.
My conclusion is that meno has destroyed my  life 100%.
I fake it around people.

[Sazzle42115]

Dear Lyncola
How long before you felt a change in mood on amitriptyline and did you have any adverse effects.
I am at my wits end 

[Anne G]

Peri-meno/meno saw me change from confident, laid back, happy, to anxious, depressed, nervous wreck who couldn't work, socialise or do anything much at all.  24 hours after starting HRT I started to pick up.  Symptoms down to oestrogen drop off and when the hormone was replaced I was back to my old self.  My Dr was terrible - I suffered needlessly for a long time because she insisted my symptoms were not related to the menopause and I was simply depressed!!  It took a couple of very good friends in my corner who kept pushing to get me to try HRT (prescribed via a private consultation, but now supplied via NHS) to find the answer.  I'd really urge you to try HRT if you have not.  You'll know quickly if it works and if it doesn't you just stop.  You can take it alongside your ADs, so there really is nothing to lose by trying.  Good luck.

[Sazzle42115]

Hi yes I've been trying HRT for a couple of years now have implant been in 4 weeks

[Floo36]

I’m struggling the same and my implant hasn’t worked either.  Have you gone back to the doctor that inserted it about it not working? I know for us poor absorbers it needs to be in the right place and deep enough to work.  There are a few of us that have had implants recently that haven’t worked and I’m wondering if there is a problem with the actual implants as I’m guessing they come from the same supplier? Im seeing my implant doctor in a few weeks and it’s one of the questions that I have.

[Sazzle42115]

Not sure when I should see any improvements...she said 4-6 weeks? I absolutely cannot believe how rubbish I feel xxx

[Dada39]

Hello, please be careful with the sleeping tablet and Diazépam. They are benzodiazepines. They are are very addictive and.difficult to wean off.

[Dandelion]

Hi all
Anyone experienced feeling like a completely different version of themselves? I no longer recognise who I am. Do you think antidepressants can change your personality?
I used to be quiet but with a sharp sense of humour funny patient and gentle. I now feel like a sharp impatient shell of myself who is struggling to find love for anyone. Saw a physciarist in the week who didn't believe in HRT/ testoterone improving low mood. Said that I was depressed and prescribed amitriptyline along with diazapam and sleeping tablets all of which I'm terrified to take as other ADs have left me in a terrible way. I would honestly take anything if I thought I would be like I was just 2 years ago this last 12 months has been a living nightmare.

I am 55, my meno started at 42 with sweaty neck, night sweats and anxiety.
I got up to 100mcg oestrogen patched.
It's been bumpy.
I am dependent on tranquillisers, and weaning off under medical supervision.
Careful about them, and antidepressants.
The former have horrible WD's and the latter needs tapering off slowly too.
Opinions may differ, but no AD has worked on me.
I am using supplements.
While I am not invalidating you, as I am ignorant on male hormones, yet know we have a little, I  don't know what part testosterone plays in the meno time of life.