Why do antidepressants seem to quit working after only a couple of weeks?

Answer 1

It *is* true that it takes antidepressants several weeks to show an effect...but often people who have started taking them feel better as a result of doing *something* positive toward getting better. Just taking the step to start a treatment raises the mood. Doses must be raised gradually, with the dosage starting low to gauge the medication's effect on you, then increasing to therapeutic levels over time. So it sounds like a few things are happening here, but most likely you just need to give it some time, and see your prescriber regarding your dosage.

Answer 2

Antidepressants usually take 2-3 weeks to start working. If you feel like it quit working after a few weeks, it probably never started working in the first place. Maybe you need to change to a different type of antidepressant. I had to try every class of antidepressant availible before I found one that works.

Answer 3

Have you tried various already? If so, that seems unusual to me. But make sure you are doing your part in the antidepressant process. You've got to make yourself go out and do the things your depression tells you not to. Have you joined a depression group? That is very helpful and it allows you to learn quite a bit about depression and the natural remedies you can do in conjuction with the medication. I've only had to switch meds 1 time, because the first one gave me a bad reaction. I've been on the same medication for about 4 mos. now, and I did join a group therapy class for about 2 mos. Since then, I have signed up for various activities and they keep me busy enough to where my depression is rarely around.

Answer 4

You have not found the right one yet. antidepressants can take up to a month for you to feel the full effect. Different medications work for different people. You really need to hang in there and try to see how you feel after a month of being on them. I found that lexapro and wellbutrin both worked very well after the one month period. Good luck and hang in there. It will get better.

Answer 5

most antidepressants don't start working fully for 2-6 weeks and then the dose may be adjusted- then higher sometimes and that takes another 2-6 weeks. So what your saying is not correct.

Answer 6

I doubt the medication has quit working. Rather your body has adjusted to the change and you are no longer getting a buzz or side effects from the use.

If you don't think they are truly not working, go back to the doctor who prescribed them. WHAT? You got them from a friend. Stop taking them and go see a physician who not only can give you the correct medication but also get you into counseling for the depression.

Answer 7

they were never actually working in the first place, studies have actually shown that antidepressants do nothing. That is why it takes 4-6 weeks for the pill to "kick in" surprisingly it also takes about 4-6 weeks for someones life to turn in a different direction for the good...therefore they will not be depressed anymore. Not because of the pill but because something positive happened.

Answer 8

Oddly enough, I had the same experience with Zoloft. Is that what you're taking? I took it for 6 months, and I found it only helped me for the first two weeks. Maybe it was all a placebo effect?

Answer 9

cause you have to give the pills time to get into the blood stream,and a couple of weeks or so you should start seeing some improvements then after that if you see no improvements,then you need to go back to the doctor.

Answer 10

They take about two weeks to get in to your system and after that time your body finds a balance with the medication!