Try microdosing Prozac (long form seeing a psychiatrist and asking about a baby dose)

I had hesitations about being on antidepressants because I wanted to live a life that made me happy organically/naturally, not just take pills that made me happy/numb despite my shitty life. After being on them for a while I realized that the point of SSRIs does not necessarily have to be taking them for the rest of your life to make yourself not depressed, but to help you build a life worth living.

Prozac has especially helped with anxiety. I joined a lefty org, I go out to bars, I use dating apps. I find it was easier to ask out people now, both in person and online. Before Prozac I had two sexual partners in my entire life by my mid 20s, within six months of starting I had 6 more. In the right dose, it can completely kill your sense of anxiety, social or otherwise.

My psychiatrist says that a lot of people give up Prozac because prescribers start people off on too high of a dose, sometimes 10x what they started me on or 5x what I’m on now, and they just can’t handle the side effects (headaches, panic attacks, ear ringing, attention issues, emotional numbness).

The little steps you take when you’re on SSRIs will persist when you stop taking them. You’ll still have your dating app profiles, you’ll still feel comfortable going out to your favorite bars, you’ll still have the friends and partners you’ve made. They give you the stability to build your support network that will support you when you stop taking them.