Why Does This Have to Be So Hard? My Autistic Perspective on Starting New Meds Some days it feels impossible to explain why something as “simple” as starting a new antidepressant can take over my whole life. But the truth is, it does — and it’s not because I’m weak. I’m autistic. That means my nervous system doesn’t just notice small side effects — it amplifies them. Nausea doesn’t feel like a mild stomach flutter; it feels like my whole body is buzzing and I can’t escape. A little dizziness doesn’t feel small; it feels like the floor tilts under me all day. It’s not drama — it’s sensory reality. Then there’s anxiety. Every tiny shift inside my body becomes something to watch, something to question. Add depression to the mix, and suddenly the fight to keep going gets even heavier. And it’s not just the mental side. I’m already juggling meds for blood pressure, sleep, and mood. Every new pill changes that balance. My heart rate drops too low at night. My mornings turn into a c...