How to Know Your Depression Medication Isn’t Working for You

When you first start a medication for major depressive disorder (or other types of depression), you might be hoping for instant relief. Some people do start feeling better right away, but for others it may take some time. 

Even then, it can be hard to know if the medication is “working” for you. Antidepressants help lessen the symptoms of depression, which is different from making you feel full of bliss, optimism, and satisfaction.

How long does it take to know if an antidepressant is working?

You might start a new antidepressant and worry that it’s not working after a couple days or weeks. Your provider may want you to continue taking the antidepressant consistently for at least a few months. That’s because many antidepressants take weeks or months to see the full effect.

For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) often take six to 12 weeks to see the full effects.

How do you know if an antidepressant is working or not?

When a medication for major depressive disorder is working, you should notice a reduction in the intensity and frequency of symptoms. Ideally, your medication should help you feel “back to normal.”

Plus, the right antidepressant should also work with your lifestyle. It should not cause any severe or unmanageable side effects.

A medication may not be right for you if you notice little or no improvement in symptoms, even after taking it as prescribed for a few months. It may also not be right for you if side effects are severe or unmanageable. 

“One of the things that you can communicate with your providers is just clarifying how the depressive symptoms are impacting you,” says Jacques Ambrose, MD, MPH, FAPA, Psychiatrist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

What happens if your antidepressant isn’t working?

There are many ways your provider can adjust your treatment plan:

• Increasing or decreasing the dosage

• Changing to a different medication in the same class

• Changing to a different class of medication altogether

• Adding another medication

• Trying non-medication therapies, such as psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation

Do not make changes to your medication routine without discussing it with your provider first. 

Treatment outcomes vary, but many people are able to find relief once they find the right medication or treatment plan for their depression.