When does antidepressant take effect positively?
I have been started on some antidepressants by my doctor recently. However, instead of feeling better, I'm feeling worse (1 week+ so far). The next appointment is 4 weeks later.
How long is it reasonable to wait typically for the antidepressant to make me feel better?
Hi polarcubs,
Antidepressants have a different effect on all who take them. When I started my antidepressants, it took about two weeks before I started to really feel the effects, and even then it was a while before I was even able to register how much they were helping. Other people noticed before I did. "You smile so much more now!" "You're eating so much healthier!" etc. These were little things that I didn't even recognize because the changes were so gradual.
Sometimes antidepressants don't help - whether because of the dosage, the brand, or other reasons. If this is the case, your doctor might try different forms of help (such as a different exercise regimen, diet, or other lifestyle changes). Your doctor might also change the dosage of your antidepressant or switch the brand.
If you start to have suicidal thoughts then you should stop taking your antidepressant and call your doctor about it immediately. (Haha, now I feel like one of those TV commercials for medication.)
Some anti depressants work immediately while others might take weeks to work. The possibility is also that the anti depressantprescribed might not be working for you. The key here is to go back and try new things until you stumble on the right meds.
Good luck with you journey Polarcubs and don't get despondent.
Depending on the drug it can take time. For me it took up to 6 weeks and then your doctor may start altering doses until you get it right. It's a trial and error process that can be quite frustrating at times. Sometimes it's the wrong dosage or the wrong drug or not enough time has passed yet.
If you're worried I'd suggest getting back in touch with your doctor.
it depends! so are fast acting and some are slow acting
All I can say is make sure to notify your doctor about any negative changes in symptoms or changes in usage. Please notify your doctor with your concerns.
You can always call their office if something comes up. And you can read about your specific medication by doing a Google search for the "name of the drug"+NIH. Medline plus has useful information about medications. Here's an example of medication info you can find on Medline Plus:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a695033.html
That depends on the uptake of the medication. SSRIs such as Citalopram and Sertraline typically take around 4-6 weeks before becoming fully effective. The information is available in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) in your medication box provided by your Pharmacist. If you begin to feel any negative side effects, tell your Doctor or Pharmacist, they can give you the best advice on any questions and queries about your medication. (Although a Pharmacist is better equipped to answer ANY medication related questions).
Antideprssantsusually take awhile to have an effect that you notice. I've been taking them for a couple months now and I've started to notice a change in my overall mood. I feel more alive. Each and every antidepressant has different effects on different people. So one person may feel the effect of Celexa whereas you might not. You just have to get the right kind for you. Also, it is very crucial to remember to take the medicine, because not taking it for a couple days can put you back to square one. And if you don't take it for weeks, it can cause negative effects such as feeling extra depressed and suicidal.
it really depends. mine started to work when it has been 5 months
typically it takes about 4 weeks for the anitdepressents to actually start working sometimes and depending on the person it can be longer or shorter. for me it took about four weeks for them to start working and for me to start seeing the full effects of the medicine.