Talk To Your Doctor About Depression Treatment
If you have depression symptoms, it is important to be medically reviewed and treated. Taking an antidepressant could be critical for your mental health. You should follow your doctors advice, diagnosis, or treatment for depression. As noted, it may take 4-6 weeks for antidepressants to start working. Complete benefit can take 2-3 months. If you dont get relief with the first drug you try, you may find that switching to another type of antidepressant does the trick.
Keep in mind also that antidepressant medications work best when used in combination with psychotherapy. With a multi-pronged treatment plan in place, your depressive symptoms have a very good chance of improving.
Antidepressants Are Often Used To Reduce The Symptoms Of Depression Such As:
- feeling extremely sad for no clear reason,
- loss of interest or pleasure in things you usually enjoy
- sleeping too much or too little
- feelings of worthlessness, guilt or worry, and
- difficulty in thinking, making decisions or concentrating.
Antidepressants may also be helpful in the treatment of other mental health issues, such as generalised anxiety disorder and eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How Long Will I Need To Take Antidepressants For
This will depend on a number of factors and is best discussed with your doctor. It is common to be on antidepressants for at least 6 to 12 months. If you have recurrent depression you be advised to take them indefinitely.
- During the first few months of treatment, you’ll usually see your doctor or a specialist nurse at least once every few weeks to see how well the medicine is working.
- If you are bothered by side effects or see little improvement in your symptoms after 6 weeks, talk to your doctor. They may change your dose or switch you to another antidepressant.
- If you plan to stop taking antidepressants, talk with your doctor first about how to do it safely. It’s best to slowly decrease your dose. Suddenly stopping your antidepressant can cause side effects. It may also cause your depression to come back or get worse.
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Effects Of Taking Antidepressants When Not Depressed
Antidepressants are prescription drugs used to relieve symptoms of depression, social anxiety disorder, seasonal affective disorder , and dysthymia. These medications aim to correct the chemical imbalance thats believed to contribute to changes in mood and behavior. First developed in the 1950s, anti-depression medications have become more popular within the last few decades. But while these medications are effective in treating people with depression, today were going to look at the effects of taking antidepressants when not depressed.
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Initial Consultation And Prescription
Antidepressant medication may be prescribed by a doctor . A doctor can discuss options with you, and prescribe you a dosage that they think matches your situation.
Different medications work for different people. There are some things you and your doctor can talk over to help decide what is right for you:
- How severe your symptoms are and how they impact you
- What different types of medication are available
- What they recommend, and why
- Any side-effects and how to manage these
- What to do if you wish to stop taking the medication
- Any allergies or physical health problems you may have
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- Any other medications you are taking, or have taken previously
- How and when to take the medication
- How to store medication safely
- Other factors, such as foods which may need to be avoided.
Tricyclic Antidepressants Side Effects
Tricyclic antidepressants are a class of antidepressant associated with sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, and increased pressure in the eye. They are also associated with hypertension, abnormalheart rhythms, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, headache, rash, nausea, and vomiting, abdominal cramps, weight loss, and sexual dysfunction. Tricyclic antidepressants rarely cause liver failure.
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Do I Need Antidepressants
As with many other medications, there are benefits and risks to taking antidepressants.
They are often effective for moderate to severe depression. They can help to improve mood and increase motivation for people who may have lost interest in activities they once enjoyed. They can also help improve sleep, thinking and concentration.
Antidepressants might also help people with anxiety-related disorders like generalised anxiety disorder , eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder .
However, antidepressants are not particularly effective for mild depression. Lifestyle changes and psychological treatments work better for mild depression.
The decision to start an antidepressant should be made only in consultation with a doctor.
Other medicines may also be needed as well as or instead of antidepressants. These include anti-anxiety medication or sleeping tablets.
If You Feel Better Can You Stop Taking Antidepressants
Once you and your provider have determined it is safe for you to stop taking your medicine altogether, you should continue to be monitored during periodic follow-up appointments to detect any signs of depression returning.
Long-term treatment with antidepressant medicine may be recommended to prevent further episodes of depression in people who have already had two or more episodes of major depression. A history of depression in ones family is another factor that supports long-term treatment.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/24/2019.
References
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What About The Side Effects Of Antidepressants
Different antidepressants have different side effects and risks. The most common side effects of antidepressants are usually mild. Side effects should improve within a few days or weeks of treatment, as your body gets used to the medicine.
- At the start of treatment: Some people can experience agitation and anxiety in the first few weeks of starting their antidepressant medicine. You may feel that your depression symptoms worsen at first because of the initial side effects. Keep in mind that things will get better and these side effects are likely to pass as your body gets used to the new medication. Tell your doctor if these effects are ongoing or troublesome.
- Do not stop taking your antidepressant medicine without checking with your healthcare provider. Stopping your medicine suddenly may make your symptoms worse.
- SSRIs: A few people experience sexual problems, weight changes or sleep problems when taking SSRIs. Read more about SSRIs.
- SNRIs such as venlafaxine have similar side effects to the SSRIs, and may also cause loss of appetite.
- Mirtazapine: Common side effects with mirtazapine include weight gain and drowsiness.
- TCAs: Side effects are more common with TCAs, and these can include drowsiness, blurred vision, weight gain, constipation and difficulty urinating , a dry mouth and sexual problems.
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How Long Will It Take For Them To Take Effect
According to the United Kingdoms National Health Service , people may begin to feel the benefits of the antidepressants after 12 weeks if the person has not missed a dose.
Some people may stop taking them because they believe the medications are not working. However, it is important to keep taking the medication exactly as their doctor has prescribed.
If a person has not felt any benefit after 4 weeks, they should speak with a doctor.
According to the NHS, doctors will typically suggest a person takes antidepressants for at least 6 months.
People should take their antidepressants exactly as their doctor has prescribed.
It Might Require Trial And Error To Find The Right Antidepressant For You
Just as not every therapist matches with every person, not every antidepressant will work for everyone who tries it. You might try one antidepressant and not feel better after a few months, and then switch to another similar antidepressant that works for you.
Doctors also have a tool called GeneSight, in which they take DNA by cheek swab that is analyzed to determine which medication will be most effective based on the persons metabolism and susceptibility to side effects.
Just because you have to change medications because the first one didnt go well doesnt mean things arent treatable, Dr. Cox says. Anxiety and depression are highly treatable. It just requires patience and working with your physician.
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Other Treatments For Depression
Other treatments for depression include talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy .
People with moderate to severe depression are usually treated using a combination of antidepressants and CBT. Antidepressants work quickly in reducing symptoms, whereas CBT takes time to deal with causes of depression and ways of overcoming it.
Regular exercise has also been shown to be useful for those with mild depression.
Read more about alternatives to antidepressants.
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Alternative Treatments For Depression And Anxiety
Some people get better with psychological therapy alone. Others find it best to use a combination of antidepressants and psychological therapy.
There are many different psychological therapies. The most common is cognitive behavioural therapy. This therapy aims to identify and change your negative thoughts.
Other types of therapy aim to get you to accept your thoughts and environment in a non-judgemental way, or help you change patterns of behaviour that are not helpful.
Talk to your doctor about options for treatment. You might be eligible for a mental health care plan, which reduces the cost of treatment.
There are other things that help your anxiety and depression.
- Exercise can help improve your mood and self-esteem as well as reducing the risk of weight gain .
- If you smoke, quitting reduces depression, anxiety and stress, and improves mood.
How Antidepressants Work
It’s not known exactly how antidepressants work.
It’s thought they work by increasing levels of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. Certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and noradrenaline, are linked to mood and emotion.
Neurotransmitters may also affect pain signals sent by nerves, which may explain why some antidepressants can help relieve long-term pain.
While antidepressants can treat the symptoms of depression, they do not always address its causes. This is why they’re usually used in combination with therapy to treat more severe depression or other mental health conditions.
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Missed Or Extra Doses
It’s important not to miss any of your doses, as this could make your treatment less effective.
If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time to take your next dose. In this case, you should just skip the missed dose. Don’t take a double dose to “make up” for the one you missed.
You should not take more than your prescribed dose unless advised by your doctor or prescriber. If you do take an extra dose by mistake, you should check with your pharmacist or medical professional for advice, or phone 111.
How Is Depression Diagnosed
If your mood has been low for a while and you are having difficulty coping with day to day activities, talk to your doctor or a trusted professional. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your medical history and may ask you to complete a questionnaire that may help to diagnose depression or refer you to a psychiatrist.
You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or have an online chat . All information is confidential and free.
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How Are Antidepressant Medications Selected
The type of drug prescribed will depend on your symptoms, the presence of other medical conditions, other medicines you are currently taking, the cost of the prescribed treatments, and potential side effects. If you have had depression before, your provider may prescribe the same medicine that worked for you in the past. If you have a family history of depression, medicines that have been effective in treating your family member may also be considered.
Usually you will start taking the medicine at a low dose. The dose will be gradually increased until it has reached the therapeutic dose, or until you start to see an improvement .
When To See A Doctor
If your depression symptoms return for more than a few days, it’s time to see your doctor. But even if you feel like your antidepressant isn’t working, it’s important to keep taking it until your doctor advises otherwise. You may need a dosage increase or a slow tapering off process. With many antidepressant medications, stopping their use too quickly can cause withdrawal effects such as:
- Greater anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts
Early warning signs of breakthrough depression are the symptoms you typically experience when an episode of depression is coming on, says Nestadt. Depression symptoms vary from person to person, but signs include:
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
If your symptoms return, don’t worry adjusting the dose or switching to another antidepressant often solves the problem.
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Key Points How To Decide Whether To Take Antidepressants
Sign Up For A Pregnancy Registry
Pregnancy Exposure Registries are research studies that collect information from women who take prescription medicines or vaccines during pregnancy.
Pregnancy registries can help women and their doctors learn more about how depression medicines affect women during pregnancy.
The FDA does not run pregnancy studies, but it keeps a list of registries. Check to see if there is a registry for your depression medicine or other medicines at: www.fda.gov/pregnancyregistries
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Doses And Duration Of Treatment
Antidepressants are usually taken in tablet form. When they’re prescribed, you’ll start on the lowest possible dose thought necessary to improve your symptoms.
Antidepressants usually need to be taken for 1 or 2 weeks before the benefit starts to be felt. It’s important not to stop taking them if you get some mild side effects early on, as these effects usually wear off quickly.
If you take an antidepressant for 4 weeks without feeling any benefit, speak to your GP or mental health specialist. They may recommend increasing your dose or trying a different medicine.
A course of treatment usually lasts for at least 6 months after you start to feel better. Some people with recurrent depression may be advised to take them indefinitely.
Read more about antidepressant dosages.
How Antidepressants Work To Reduce Depression
Antidepressants reduce symptoms of depression by modifying the activity of chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. The most popular type of antidepressants are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , and despite the technical name, they have a simple job in the brain to increase the levels of serotonin.2
In the brain, cells make and release serotonin so that other cells can absorb it and send appropriate chemical messages. Without enough serotonin, the messages cannot be communicated fully or efficiently.
The same cells that release serotonin also reabsorb it, so SSRIs work to inhibit or block the reabsorption of serotonin. This leaves more of the chemical available in the brain, and ensures that messages are sent.3
SSRIs account for more than 64% of all antidepressants prescribed. Over the last 20 years or so, SSRI prescription rates have been steady, tricyclic antidepressant prescription rates have fallen, and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors prescription rates are growing.4
- TCAs represented almost 18% of all antidepressants in 1996 and only 3% in 2015
- SNRIs only represented slightly more than 3% in 1996 and about 16.5% in 2015
The following SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed antidepressants: 4
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