"i began taking paxil &#039;by choice&#039; 15 years ago; when my panic and anxiety was out of control. i didn&#039;t realize i had always suffered from depression until i took this medicine.the very fist day i took the 20 mgs. i felt a calmness like never before.the first couple of weeks or so i felt a little zoned out; perhaps more depressed seeming. looking back i think my depression was left on its own. it took a couple of weeks to improve that but it did. i was on it for 2 years before weaning off due to weight gain and thinking i was better. i fell back into severe depression and panic. went back on it, tried to wean again. same response. a third time put me in the hospital. 7 years later i still have to take meds but nothing has helped since paxil."