12 Facts About Depression and Antidepressants Everyone Should Know
Key takeaways:
Depression is a common, treatable mental health condition.
For many people, depression can go away — either on its own or with a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle strategies, and alternative medicine.
Therapy and medication are equally effective, especially for moderate to severe depression.
Taking an antidepressant can cause side effects that may increase feelings of depression.
Access savings on related medications
Table of contents
If your life has been affected by major depressive disorder (MDD), you’re not alone. Over 8% of adults in the U.S. experience depression every year. And for teens between 12 and 17 years old, it’s even more common — affecting over 1 in 5.
With this in mind, it’s probably no surprise that antidepressants are some of the most frequently prescribed medications in the U.S. And, antidepressants aren’t only used to treat depression. They can also treat other health conditions like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and even premature ejaculation.
Read on to learn 12 key facts about depression and antidepressants, so you can feel confident in understanding some of the basics. And if you’re looking for more in-depth information, you can always find it in our complete guide to depression.
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1. Depression isn’t forever — it can go away
When you have depression, it can feel like your symptoms will never go away.
But, according to the American Psychiatry Association, between 70% and 90% of people with depression “eventually respond well to treatment.” This means most people who are treated for depression will feel better over time.
In addition to therapy and medication, there are other ways you can treat your depression, including:
Practicing mindfulness
Seeing an acupuncturist
Exercising
Eating nutritious food
Exploring dietary supplements
Getting social support
Getting quality sleep
You can read more about how to combine these strategies in our guide to managing depression.
2. Both therapy and medication work for depression
Trying to decide between therapy or medication? You’re in luck: Antidepressant medication and therapy both work. It’s OK to go with whichever treatment feels like the best match for you.
There’s also some evidence that combining medication and therapy might actually give you the best results — especially if you have moderate or severe symptoms. And, combining treatments might lower the risk of your depression coming back in the future.
Changing medication? Here’s what you need to know about switching antidepressants.
Fact or fiction: Check out these myths about antidepressants, debunked.
Antidepressants and breast milk: Here’s what you need to know about taking antidepressants while breastfeeding.
3. Antidepressants can make you feel worse at first
Can antidepressants make you more depressed? Not exactly.
Antidepressants don’t cause depression. But they can cause side effects that are very similar to depression — especially when you first start taking them. These side effects can make you feel like your depression is getting worse, instead of getting better.
To make matters worse, it can take 4 to 6 weeks for antidepressants to start working. So to begin with, you may be dealing with medication side effects, without seeing any of the benefits.
If you’re feeling this way, hang in there. And definitely check in with your doctor or other healthcare professional. For most people, antidepressant side effects get better over time. And, if they don’t, you can always talk to your prescriber about switching medication.
4. There are 3 commonly used types of antidepressants
There are many different types of antidepressants. Here are the three that are used most often.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) help your brain use serotonin more effectively. Examples include:
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) help your brain do a better job of using both serotonin and norepinephrine. Examples include:
Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Venlafaxine (Effexor)
Atypical antidepressants
These are antidepressants that don’t fit into other categories. It’s not clear exactly how they work. Examples include:
Trazodone (Desyrel)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
5. SSRIs or SNRIs are good first choices
When it comes to treating depression, most antidepressants seem to be equally effective. The differences between them are down to side effects and cost.
So which medication is the best first choice? Healthcare professionals often start with an SSRI or SNRI. These antidepressants tend to work well and have fewer side effects.
But keep in mind: The right antidepressant for you depends on many things. These include your symptoms, health conditions, personal preferences — and even your finances or insurance coverage. For example, if you also have chronic pain, an SNRI may be a better first choice, as it can sometimes help treat ongoing pain in addition to mood.
6. SSRIs can multitask
SSRIs are the most frequently prescribed type of antidepressant. They usually work well, are cost-effective, and don’t have a lot of side effects. And, they’re actually used for many different conditions — not just depression.
SSRIs are used to treat:
7. Antidepressants can have side effects, but they often go away
Like all medications, antidepressants can have side effects.
Common side effects with SSRIs and SNRIs are:
Upset stomach
Diarrhea and constipation
Feeling tired
Sleep problems
Low sex drive
Problems having an orgasm
Appetite changes
Headaches
For most people, these side effects usually go away a couple of weeks after you start taking the medication. Of all the different side effects, sexual problems are the most likely to continue.
If your side effects don’t go away — or they’re causing a lot of problems for you — talk with your prescriber. They can help you transition to another medication, if needed. It’s not unusual to need to try a few different antidepressants before you find one that’s right for you.
8. Some antidepressants have more ‘mild’ side effects
Some antidepressants have a reputation for being more “mild” than other antidepressants. This means that they are less likely to cause side effects, though they work just as well.
In a large review of 21 antidepressants, people seemed to have the fewest side effects from:
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
But keep in mind that side effects can still vary from person to person — and between medications.
9. Antidepressants need time to work
You may find it hard to stick with an antidepressant, especially if you’re having side effects.
But remember: Side effects are at their worst during the first few days and will likely get better, regardless of the medication you’re taking. And, it can take up to 2 months before your antidepressant medication fully takes effect.
10. Antidepressants can cause suicidal thoughts
It’s true that antidepressants can sometimes cause suicidal thoughts — but it’s complicated.
All antidepressants come with a “black box warning” for suicidal thoughts in children, teens, and young adults (under age 25). But in reality, experts worry that this warning has been overblown. There’s even some evidence that the warning has stopped many people from getting treatment, leading to an increase in suicide attemps.
The takeaway? Untreated depression is riskier than antidepressants, even in young people. Talk with a healthcare professional to learn more.
11. Not all antidepressants cause weight gain
Some antidepressants are likely to cause weight gain. Examples include paroxetine (Paxil) and mirtazapine (Remeron). But, many other antidepressants won’t affect your weight, or can even cause weight loss.
Looking for more details? Check out our guide to antidepressants and weight (including a handy chart).
12. Antidepressants can stop working over time
It’s possible for an antidepressant to stop working over time — even if it has been helpful. This can be caused by many things, including pregnancy, drug, or alcohol use, or life stressors. It could also be a sign of a new episode of depression, or that you’re dealing with another health condition (like bipolar disorder, for example).
If you feel like your medication isn’t working, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help figure out what’s going on, and whether changing to another medication could be helpful.
The bottom line
Depression can feel overwhelming, but treatment can help — including therapy and antidepressants. And the more you know about antidepressants, the easier it is to decide if they might be right for you.
After all, antidepressants can help a lot with mood and other symptoms. But they can sometimes cause side effects, like suicidal thoughts and weight gain. And in some cases, they can even stop working over time.
If you have questions about depression or antidepressants, talk with a healthcare professional. They can help you understand the pros and cons of different treatments, and work with you to find the best path forward.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2010). Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder.
American Psychiatric Association. (2024). What is depression?
Cipriani, A., et al. (2018). Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Lancet.
Ho, D. (2012). Antidepressants and the FDA’s black-box warning: Determining a rational public policy in the absence of sufficient evidence. AMA Journal of Ethics.
Kovich, H., et al. (2023). Pharmacologic treatment of depression. American Family Physician.
Mental Health America. (n.d.). Depression.
National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2017). Depression.
National Institute for Health and Care Research. (2020). Combined drug and psychological therapies may be most effective for depression.
Nestadt, P. (n.d.). Why aren’t my antidepressants working? John Hopkins Medicine.
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine. (2023). Commonly prescribed antidepressants and how they work. National Library of Medicine.
Soumerai, S., et al. (2018). FDA’s continuing use of ‘black box’ for antidepressants ignores the harms of this warning. STAT.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
