SHORT ANSWER
Medicines for mental health conditions are prescribed by a doctor tailored to your specific state: the point is not to fear or treat "on internet advice", but to have an informed conversation — about purpose, duration, side effects and the stopping plan. Shared decision-making usually improves both effectiveness and trust in treatment.
Why is that?
Why the doctor chooses as they do: prescribing is built on an evidence base (which medicines work better for which condition) and individual factors — age, comorbidities, other medicines, tolerability. That is why "it helped someone" is not an argument either for or against a specific medicine for you.
What matters about timelines: many psychiatric medicines (above all antidepressants) start working gradually — first noticeable changes often after 2–4 weeks, full effect later. Early side effects (nausea, headache, drowsiness) pass within 1–2 weeks in some people; the doctor discusses in advance what to expect and when to call.
Why you cannot stop abruptly: for a number of medicines abrupt withdrawal causes discontinuation syndrome (dizziness, "zaps", anxiety) or return of symptoms — this is not "addiction" but a predictable response that is avoided by gradually reducing the dose on the doctor's plan.
WHAT TO DO
- At the appointment ask: why exactly this medicine; when to expect effect; what side effects are possible and what to do about them; can you drive and work; how to stop.
- Do not start or stop medicines on internet advice or from acquaintances.
- For searching medicine names in Uzbekistan pharmacies there is a tool on the UZPA site — it helps, but the decision on the medicine stays with the doctor.