Depression can be treated with anti-depressants.Sometimes they do not work the way you need them to.Your doctor can prescribe a lot of different antidepressants.Think about how long you have been taking the medication, what the side effects are, and how effective it has been.You should always talk to your doctor if you think you need a different drug.
Step 1: Do you think the antidepressants is working?
If they aren't working, you may need to change them.The goal of any drug is to make you feel better.If the antidepressant isn't working, you may have some symptoms, but not a change in your mood.Your doctor will want to change your antidepressants if this is the case.Some antidepressants can take up to six weeks to work.It may not be the right fit for you if you don't improve by week six.Discuss how you're feeling with your doctor.If your moods have not improved or you are still experiencing insomnia, you may need a different antidepressants.If you are taking Zoloft, your doctor may switch you to a Serotonin and Norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitor, like Cymbalta or Wellbutrin, or possibly talk to you about increasing your dose.
Step 2: Take into account the seriousness of the side effects.
If you are experiencing severe side effects but no improvement, your doctor may want to switch to another drug.If you are experiencing moderate improvement, you and your doctor should look at the side effects to decide if you should switch to a different medication.You should keep a daily log of your moods.You can experience weight gain, nausea, sexual problems, depression, and change in energy levels.There are side effects that you can live with.They don't interfere with your daily life.Severe side effects can cause physical symptoms that interfere with your daily life, like nausea that keeps you from work or low energy that makes it difficult to make it through the day.There are severe side effects where you don't want to experience them because they are so bad.
Step 3: If you have improved with an increased dose, you should notice.
It is possible for your doctor to increase the dosage of your antidepressants if they have made mild to moderate improvements.It is possible to get better results if you change your antidepressant to a higher dosage.Your doctor may change you to a different antidepressants if you don't improve with a higher dosage.
Step 4: Don't change because you're worried about suicide or addiction.
Some people may want to stop taking their antidepressants because they are afraid of committing suicide or becoming addicted.In adolescents it may increase the risk of suicide.The benefits of taking antidepressants outweigh the risks, according to most professionals.Alcohol, nicotine, or recreational drugs can be addictive, but antidepressants are not.If you end up with a mild physical dependence, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.It is recommended that you follow a doctor's instructions for getting off antidepressants.
Step 5: How long have you been on the medication?
Depression medication will not work overnight.You might not get a full reduction of symptoms for months after you start taking it.Allow plenty of time for the medication to work.It takes six to eight weeks for most antidepressants to start working.It's important to remember that medication is not a cure.It is used to alleviate symptoms so that you can go to therapy.The causes of depression should be addressed by your therapist.
Step 6: Determine the kind of change you need.
If you need to change your antidepressants, there are different options.Your doctor can increase the dose of antidepressants, add a second one, or switch the medication completely.Your doctor should discuss any changes with you.If you don't have a doctor's supervision, you should never increase or decrease your antidepressant.
Step 7: Do you have been taking your medication as directed?
Symptoms may return if you stop taking your medication or start missing it.You need to change if this makes you think they aren't working anymore.Even if your symptoms are better, make sure you are taking your antidepressants as directed.Don't reduce the dose without the doctor's approval.If you think you don't need an antidepressants, talk to your doctor.Your doctor can tell you how to stop taking your medication if you decide to take it off.
Step 8: Talk to your doctor.
In order to rule out any physical causes for your depression, you may want to have a physical exam with a general doctor.
Step 9: See a Psychiatrist.
A Psychiatrist can help you find the right antidepressants and evaluate your mental health.Speak to your Psychiatrist before changing your medication.You may be on the wrong type of medication.It is possible that you have a disorder that requires a different treatment.
Step 10: Try it.
If combined with medication, therapy is a powerful treatment for depression.If your medication isn't helping you as much as you would like, consider going to therapy.Cognitive behavioral therapy is a common treatment for depression.If they go through a rough patch, some people think they need stronger antidepressants.Therapy can help you get back to your former state if you are on antidepressants.