How Long Does It Take For An Antidepressant To Take Effect?
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in our modern society. It affects many people around the world and until now, the most effective treatment and therefore the most used is the use of antidepressants. It is common among people who suffer from this condition to wonder how long it takes for an antidepressant to take effect. Unlike other immediate-acting drugs, antidepressants offer long-term results.
It is important to note that not all people react the same way to the use of antidepressants since each body is different. For this reason, there are different types of antidepressants, however, only a professional can diagnose and then prescribe the one that best suits the needs of each individual. Therefore, it is common for the person to have to try different types to know which one causes the desired effect and the least possible discomfort.
It is extremely important to follow the letter and always have the advice of a professional when using antidepressants. After all, if it is not well managed it will not achieve the desired objectives. As we mentioned at the beginning, antidepressants take time to take effect and this is a cause of frustration and despair for certain people. Therefore, in today’s article, we will talk about How long does it take for an antidepressant to have the expected effect? Stay to find out.
Antidepressants help balance chemicals in the brain. But how do they do it? Generally speaking, they work by increasing the levels of certain specific neurotransmitters in the brain, preventing their ‘reuptake’. To understand this better, it is necessary to understand that neurons have the function of capturing serotonin from a space called synapses. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that the body uses to transmit messages between nerve cells. It plays a role in mood, emotions, appetite and digestion.
Antidepressants generally prevent neurons from picking up serotonin in the synaptic cleft again, which increases the amount of serotonin between neurons. Consequently, there is a sharp increase in serotonin levels.
It is understandable that at the beginning of treatment, when serotonin levels in the brain change abruptly, certain annoying side effects appear such as changes in sleep, appetite, decreased sexual desire, vomiting, dizziness, among others. Once serotonin levels stabilize, that is when we begin to experience the benefits of these medications.
When will I notice the effects of the antidepressant?
Antidepressants have the potential to significantly improve a patient’s quality of life, however, they do not act instantly like a headache relief pill The effect begins to be felt after several days.
The main reason for this delay is that antidepressants are medications that help rebalance brain neurotransmitters, and this process is slower and more complex than relieving a simple headache. Although our body is adaptable to changes, this adaptation does not happen immediately and takes time. For this reason, on average, it usually takes about two weeks for patients to notice the desired results. Additionally, it is in the third or fourth week that patients usually report real improvement.
It is essential that the individual understands this delay so as not to lose hope and continue taking care of themselves In fact, side effects may appear before positive effects. In addition, the patient will likely need to try different types of antidepressants until they find the most suitable one. Consequently, patience becomes essential to endure this process in the best possible way.
If after trying different types of antidepressants it seems that none of them work, it is important not to despair or feel bad about yourself. Although the exact cause is unknown, you are not alone, as this happens to certain people However, throwing in the towel is not an option since there are other treatment alternatives such as psychotherapy.
Antidepressant tachyphylaxis is a medical term that refers to when the body stops responding to repeated doses of medications. That is, it refers to the fact that our body adapts to the antidepressants that we are receiving and finally they stop having the desired effect even though said results have previously been obtained. This may be another reason why the drugs do not work.
Tips for taking antidepressants
Now that you know that the process of taking antidepressants is long, we want to end the article by giving some advice to be able to handle the situation in the best possible way. Below we present some:
