Wellbutrin for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• AKT...
• September 2, 2013

"The first time I took Wellbutrin I was in the hospital for major depression, suicidal ideation, and a nervous breakdown. After trying the typical Zoloft, Paxil, and others, the doctors were running out of options. A new doctor on staff gave me Wellbutrin (I don't remember the dose) and I instantly was transported to a state I can only describe as ecstasy. Unfortunately, this lasted only one day, probably because of my 'virgin' brain. But staying on this med for two years helped me recover my life. I am so grateful. This was 15 years ago, and although I still suffer from major depressive disorder, I have been able to get a Master's degree and a new career."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 1, 2017

"This drug has saved my life! I have struggled with methamphetamine addiction for about 4 years now. The hardest part about quitting was the extreme depression and suicidal thoughts. They always caused me to relapse. My physician prescribed Wellbutrin and it has worked like a miracle. I have been clean for over half a year and feel like I have my old life back! My relationships are healing and my family feels like they have their son/brother back. I am back in college and passing my classes! I don't attribute all that to the drug. Counseling and AA were extremely helpful but I know it was Wellbutrin that got me through the horrible depression to the other side. Only upfront side effects I had were jitteriness and dry mouth."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2008

"I have been taking Wellbutrin for almost a month now and I have already noticed a change. I used to be this really upbeat, happy, positive person, and all of a sudden, I was tired all the time, couldn't sleep, was really sad all the time, agitated really easily, and also got snippy with people at the drop of a hat. My mom was the one who said I needed to go see the doctor and find out what was going on with me. I've tried other antidepressants, this is the only one that works for me."

• hso...
• April 24, 2016

"Probably saved my life. This is the first antidepressant I tried as I was scared of some of the nasty side effects of the SSRIs (sexual, weight gain, tiredness). I was on Wellbutrin XL 150 mg for 1-2 months and then have been on 300 mg XL for 3 months now. Getting on it was a little strange, as I had some side effects of anxiety at first, but actually have not had a panic attack since starting. Just know that it doesn't really help with anxiety/OCD symptoms (but I've been going to therapy for that). Really made me motivated to get work done (never been the case for me) without that craziness feeling from Adderall. Very consistently good mood and makes me want to be alive. Also increased sex drive + motivation for exercise is a plus."

• smw...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 20, 2012

"I'm 33 years old. I've been on this medication for 6 years. My mood, temper, and life in general are so much better. I went several years with depression that came on with postpartum. In a state of denial about my condition and not wanting to be labeled, I would not seek treatment. I wish I would have done so much sooner. I cannot say enough about Wellbutrin, it has changed my life. I deal with stress, death, and everyday life of raising two teenagers now, which I firmly believe I could not have done without it. I have found you can be happy and would encourage people to get the mental help they need because medications like this one are life-changing. I can also add side effects have not been an issue for me at all."

• som...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2023

"I started bupropion 75 mg and was on it for 10 days. The first days, I was agitated and hypervigilant, had problems with driving as everything attracted my attention, and felt a bit more active. I became careless and a bit arrogant. My empathy and people-pleasing behaviors lowered. I could socialize, not feeling inferior. Slowly, the medicine lost effect. The next 10 days were bupropion ER 150 mg. It gave me grave depression, I feel like I am in a cage, extreme depression, and I feel people are all monsters. I still have empathy, but no joy, no happiness, nothing. I can study, and my brain fog is gone. I can focus if I eat something. Now I am on 300 mg bupropion ER. Still very depressed. No joy. My kidneys are starting to hurt, and I have some breathing problems and nasal dripping problems. Super aware of my surroundings, studying is easy. I have lost joy, and I sleep all the time. I have a dull headache. I feel like if I continue, I will have a mental episode."

• Lif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2025

"Before I started taking Wellbutrin, I was very tired, stressed, had difficulty concentrating, sad, and unmotivated. Within a week of being on 150 mg a day, I felt such a tremendous positive change. I sleep better too. Now I am actually looking forward to the rest of my life instead of dreading it. I feel inspired, more disciplined, and my mood is stable. I hope this medication continues to support me as a method in my toolbox to improve the quality of my life."

• Los...
• May 3, 2009

"It has helped me a lot with my depression and anger problems. For the first time in 9 years, I don't wake up mad at the world with homicidal thoughts. The side effects that I experienced are dizziness when I stand up too fast and my loss of appetite (not a bad thing). I was overweight anyway. I've only been on it for 2 weeks and have lost 13 pounds, but it makes me feel so much better about myself."

• McL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2014

"I tried a couple of different SSRIs and found that most of them gave me bad side effects and made me feel empty, so when I heard about Wellbutrin, I asked my doctor if I could try it. It's one of the few that also doesn't give you a decreased sex drive. I was a bit scared after hearing some of the negative reviews, but this medication works wonders for me. I have had no side effects at all, and within a day, I started feeling better. I would recommend this to anyone who hasn't had luck with SSRIs."

• mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2012

"This is the most amazing medication for depression! I have used it in the past, and I am so glad to start back on it again. I have had so many bad things happen, that it is time for some good. I am grateful for the way it helps me see the bright side of life, instead of living so unhappily and feeling hopeless. If you have ever thought of suicide, please don't do it. I know this medicine helped me from doing it in my past, it's wonderful. Problems are temporary."

• JIC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2016

"I tried for 2 years after a major life change to get my life back. All the SNRIs and SSRIs gave me the worst side effects, and I became more depressed, dizzy, had migraines, and felt suicidal. This wasn't me, and every doctor wrote me off as being a bad patient. I was ready to throw in the towel and tried a low dose of Wellbutrin, and OMG. 2 months later, I was completely myself, and 6 months later, I'm medication-free. Don't give up, keep trying. I thought my life was over, and I was a difficult patient. Don't let message boards or doctors rule your life. If something isn't working, don't stay on it!"

• ber...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2020

"I started Wellbutrin 4 months ago at age 40. It was my first time using medication, although I've battled depression (and a subsequent eating disorder) since I was a child. A few years ago, anxiety started tormenting me. I couldn't live like this anymore. My GP started me on 150 mg, but after 6 weeks with no difference, upped it to 450. Finally, I realized the change: I was calmer, no longer judgmental towards myself, my unsatisfactory life situation, and my body. The anxiety and depression were gone. I treated myself with self-compassion and acceptance - all firsts for me! However, I also didn't care about exercising, and I've been an athlete and hiker all my life, so my energy level had evidently decreased. These past 4 months have been a lovely, gentle reprieve from the perfectionism and pressure I've put on myself my whole life. I've learned CBT and DBT therapies and am in recovery from my eating disorder. But now I want to feel energetic again and to wean myself off of Wellbutrin. I'm very grateful for it though!"

• Nig...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2024

"For years I was on SSRIs and they almost destroyed my life. This drug saved it. I feel like myself without that awful hazy effect that SSRIs produce. It helps a lot with anxiety and my PTSD. It also helped me quit smoking."

• Shy...
• February 5, 2021

"I started taking 100 mg of Wellbutrin 2 months ago. I was prescribed it for ADHD, but I also suffer from severe depression. The first four days of this drug were absolutely awful, I cried and felt an extreme hopelessness. After the second week, the sadness was fading, but I felt numb. The only positive thing is that it has decreased my irritability heavily, like I used to snap at so many small things, and now I am unbothered, but this has been replaced with sensitivity and getting emotional/crying easily. It also has helped with my sex drive. It hasn’t helped my ADHD, and I also no longer have an appetite. Two days ago, I was bumped up to 300 mg a day, and the first day taking it, I went back into the same despair I felt, but the suicidal thoughts were worse this time, though luckily my boyfriend was there. I’m not sure if this is worth taking in the long run, but I’d rather be more emotional than have the irritability come back. Wishing everyone suffering from depression lots of love :)"

• gra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 16, 2015

"I've been on Prozac for about 20 years, and it's been a lot of help, but at age 68, I found myself wanting to nap a lot more and my motivation decreasing. I switched to Wellbutrin, and once the therapeutic dose was established, I began to feel better within a week or two. I feel more energetic and yet more composed and at ease. I'm very pleased with this drug, not the least because my sex life has returned. I think my life would have been different if I'd started it 20 years ago."

• pea...
• July 31, 2008

"I've been taking this medication for a couple of years. I no longer obsess over things and am no longer as depressed as I used to be. They seem to keep me in balance with my emotions. I would recommend this to anyone with depression and also compulsive behavior."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2017

"Started Wellbutrin XL at 150 mg once a day to treat depression and anxiety, although was more concerned about depression. The first week I was on it, I was absolutely miserable. I did not sleep or eat at all, and was crying constantly, and I think it definitely worsened my depression. However, I called my doctor and had my dose lowered to 75 mg and not extended release, and I immediately felt better. I have been on that dosage for about 6 months now, and I feel amazing. I am able to control my emotions so much better, and I rarely have meltdowns (I used to have a complete meltdown anytime anything negative happened to me). I definitely plan on staying on Wellbutrin. Would just recommend you make sure you are on the right dose."

• Con...
• January 5, 2014

"I've been taking bupropion 75mg twice a day for the past 6 weeks and I feel like I'm finally back to the real me. I'm 18 and have been dealing with depression, but this medication helped me tremendously. I was originally on Paxil, but due to sexual side effects, I switched to this and it restored my sex drive. I also have a little bit of anxiety, but this medication cleared that up as well. The first week was hard. I experienced heart palpitations, very anxious, ridiculous energy, and I was easily agitated. After the first week, those side effects slowly diminished and now I don't have them at all. That is the only reason I didn't give this medicine a 10. It saved my life. I HIGHLY recommend this to any who doesn't want sexual side effects."

• eli...
• June 3, 2016

"Shortly after my 20th birthday, I developed what I later found out was major depression. After starting counseling, I reluctantly started taking Wellbutrin, and within a few days, I was a noticeably different person than I had been the past 6 months. I began to act like my old self again, gaining confidence, and for the most part, being free from all of my depression episodes that had occurred daily. The biggest side effects that I experienced were weight loss/loss of appetite and trouble falling asleep at night, but after about two weeks, those both went away. I've now been taking 300mg daily for about six weeks and feel great! I'd encourage you to give this medication a try because it can potentially really change your life."

• Kuf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2015

"I'm a 24-year-old male. I started taking Wellbutrin a week ago. I did 150mg for 3 days, then 2x a day now. I noticed a change by the 3rd day. My coworkers said I was more energetic and a nicer person. I'm on day 7 now and I am thinking more clearly than I have in a long time. I don't get frustrated so easily, I can fall asleep a lot faster because I'm not worrying all the time, and I get up in the morning with ease. I really like this antidepressant. It's the first one that has actually worked for me."

• NDC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2024

"I hesitated to take any medication for years and years, but after a series of difficult life events over the last year, I was feeling a heaviness and hopelessness that I just couldn’t shake. My eating disorder behaviors worsened, I gained lots of weight, and had no energy. After reading reviews on this site, I decided to try Wellbutrin. It’s been a month now, and I would say this medication has changed my life. I am more in control of my thoughts and am able to stay in the present. I am sleeping better, have way more energy, and feel way more in control mentally and emotionally, so the eating disorder behaviors have significantly decreased. The only side effects I have noticed are the decreased appetite and a bit more irritability. Otherwise, I am so happy I had the courage to take the plunge. It’s been great!"

• Pia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2013

"I am a 53-year-old prostate cancer survivor (radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radiation treatment) with depression/anxiety. I started on 150mg of Wellbutrin 6 months ago. Recently, I started having major depression/anxiety feelings about work. I am now taking 150mg twice a day, and I feel great. I cannot believe the difference in my mood from dismal depression to optimism. I also quit smoking and drinking. I've been doing the South Beach diet with moderate exercise (30-40 minutes walking on a treadmill) and have lost 20 pounds, but I was about 100 pounds overweight so I have a long way to go. I am just a few days into the 150mg twice a day regimen, but the results with respect to mood change have been remarkable."

• Anonymous
• June 30, 2010

"I was tired all the time. I have been to Iraq and back, and the way I felt was just the way I thought I should feel. I was lazy sometimes, would put things off, irritated, and got upset quickly. For years and years, I just thought that was me. I was a major drinker and smoker, couldn't ever get enough sleep, and had no motivation to get out of bed. Again, I thought that was me. I started to have anxiety after my wife had a miscarriage. Then we got pregnant again, and things really started to get out of control. Wellbutrin saved me. I quit drinking and smoking! I'm motivated, love being a dad, work is great! Slight sexual side effects."

• 555...
• September 30, 2013

"I've been on Wellbutrin in combination with Prozac for almost a year now. When I began Wellbutrin, for the first couple of months I felt like I was on speed. I would constantly shake and my heart rate was pretty fast. For the first couple of months, I experienced very large mood swings that led to me making very irrational decisions. Despite this, I continued taking it, and after about 3 months I wasn't so shaky or moody anymore. When I began Wellbutrin I weighed about 115 pounds, and I lost 15 pounds over the course of 2 months on Wellbutrin, and have been stabilized at 100 ever since. Wellbutrin has caused me to be more energetic, happy, and friendly. I definitely recommend it."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2015

"I spent a lot of time reading reviews, and it took me a while to even start the medication, but I finally said, 'Screw it, I'll try it.' After reading the reviews, most people said they felt better almost right away. So, after 2 months when I still wasn't feeling great, I started to get nervous. Then, 3 months approached and I started crying less and less, and I actually got excited to do things again, and by 4 months, I feel great! I'm so glad I stuck with it. If your depression is bad, this really can take up to 3 months, but don't give up! I did have to take Buspar with it because I'm just naturally an anxious person, and that helped with my anxiety and to balance it out. I now take 100mg of bupropion in the morning and 100mg in the afternoon, and it's just enough!"