What Causes Antidepressants to Stop Working?
Antidepressants won't necessarily cure your depression, but they can help you manage its symptoms. Still, finding the right medication can take some trial and error, as not all medications work for all people. Sometimes, your antidepressant might stop working as well as it did in the past.
Some reasons antidepressants stop working are:
Tolerance. Over time, your body may become less sensitive to the medication's effects.
Changes in your body. Weight gain, hormonal changes, or other medical conditions can affect how your body processes the medication.
Life changes. Stressful events, relationship problems, or changes in your routine can trigger a relapse of depression symptoms or worsen them, making your medication less effective.
Medication interactions. Taking other medications, including over-the-counter drugs or supplements, can interfere with the effectiveness of antidepressants.
Underlying medical conditions. Some medical conditions, such as thyroid problems or diabetes, can cause or worsen depression symptoms.
Alcohol or drug use. If you start drinking more or using drugs, your depression may get worse.
Age. Getting older can change the way your body processes your medication and could make your antidepressant less effective.
If you think your antidepressant has stopped working, it's important to talk to your doctor. They can help you figure out the cause and suggest the best course of action. This may include adjusting your dosage, switching to a different medication, or adding another treatment, such as therapy.
Signs Your Antidepressant Dose Is Too Low
It can take a while for a medicine to start working. It can also take time for your doctor to get the dosage right. These are some signs that your dose is too low:
No relief after a month. Most medications take four to six weeks to start kicking in. If you're not starting to feel better after a month, talk to your doctor.
Your depression gets worse. Some changes in your health and lifestyle may require an increase in your dosage — for example, if you start taking certain medications that affect how your body processes your antidepressant, or if you experience more stress in your life.
Your symptoms come back. Sometimes, you may feel better for a while, but depressive symptoms can return. After your doctor reviews your treatment history, they may increase your medication dosage.
Signs Your Antidepressant Dose Is Too High
It's also possible that your antidepressant dosage is too high. If so, you might experience these effects:
The side effects are too much for you. As with any medication, antidepressants can come with side effects. The most common ones are agitation, nausea, trouble sleeping, and diarrhea. They usually get better as your body gets used to the medication. But if they stick around or are severe, it might mean your dose needs to be lowered.
You feel numb. Some people who take depression medications say that they don't feel any emotions — happy or sad — as fully as they did before they began their prescription. This is called emotional blunting. Researchers aren't sure if this is because of the medicines themselves or if their depression isn't completely managed. But if you feel that all your emotions seem weak, talk to your doctor. They may lower your prescribed dosage.
You have too much serotonin in your body. If you take one or more medications that raise your serotonin levels, it may become too much for your body to handle, leading to serotonin syndrome. Symptoms may include diarrhea, nausea, nervousness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, and seizures. If left untreated, it can lead to breathing problems, coma, and death. If you have any of these symptoms within 24 hours of starting your medication or raising your dosage, get medical help right away. Always get immediate medical help for any seizure, no matter when it happens.
Talk to Your Doctor
Sometimes, simple changes can make a big difference. Your doctor may suggest you take half a dose instead of a whole one and gradually increase the dose. Another option may be to change the time you take your medication, such as at night instead of during the day. But make sure to talk with your doctor before making any changes to how you take your medication.
In some cases, you might need to change your medications. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to do that. You'll need to give your body time to get rid of the old medication and allow the new one to take effect. It’s a bit like resetting a clock and starting over.
Takeaways
It can take some time to get your antidepressant dosage right. Your dose may be too high or too low. Be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects you're having or if you're not feeling better.
Even after your antidepressant kicks in, it can stop working after a while. If your symptoms come back, your doctor may need to adjust your dose or switch your medication.
