When I started with DrG he asked for a history of the depression and anxiety medications I have been prescribed over my life.

Once I had pieced these together I was surprised to see just how many meds I have tried and how many of them I had forgotten about. Here’s the list with doses and approximate dates:

My medical records are patchy and required collation of details from my previous surgery and my current surgery. The older details they provided weren’t complete – with some dates missing.

I also think some of the details are muddled (maybe my fault). I recall going on Paroxetine. I was at the Inns of Court School of Law in London, where I was studying. I was struggling desperately with social anxiety.

The London GP I registered with prescribed Paroxetine (which was considered the o to anti depressant for social anxiety at the time) but I had a allergic reaction. I came out in an extensive rash and had to go to A&E where I was given adrenalin to flush it out.

I recall coming back to my family GP in Southampton soon after and being prescribed an alternative medication (probably Cipramil) but the list above suggests I was Paroxetine for nearly 2 years. I was not.

I don’t recall much about Agomelatine, but I returned to Duloxetine so I assumed it was not a success. I remember being unhappy at the time and asking my then CBT therapist, DrL who was also a psychiatrist, for advice on newer meds. He suggest Agomelatine and Paroxetine.

Nor do I recall being prescribed Diazepam. I have never enjoyed the feeling of being sedated of ‘dosed up’ as I call it. That’s why I quickly retreated from the low dose of Risperidone recently. I’m speculating but suspect the Diazepam was prescribed as a ‘break glass in case of emergency option’ which I probably didn’t use.