Treating depression isn't a one-size-fits-all prescription. You may be treating your depression with antidepressant medication or talk therapy, called psychotherapy, or both. Finding the right treatment for you takes time. And, you might have to try a few different treatments to find the best fit. In fact, only about half of those with major depression respond to their first treatment.
What can you do? Learn the signs that your treatment isn't working. If you experience any of these signs, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Together, you can find the treatment that works best for you.
Sign #1: You're Struggling Despite Antidepressants
Antidepressants take time to work. Just three of every five people get complete relief from the first medication they try. Doctors call antidepressant treatment that hasn't worked within six weeks treatment-resistant depression. If you have this, you may need to switch to another antidepressant or take an additional medication.
It's important to let your doctor know if you're not feeling better. It's also important to not stop taking your current antidepressant on your own. Discontinuing antidepressants abruptly can cause an uncomfortable withdrawal reaction. Withdrawal symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea and anxiety.
Sign #2: You're Struggling Despite Psychotherapy
If your doctor diagnosed you with a mild or moderate form of depression, you may be using psychotherapy (talk therapy) only.
Psychotherapy takes time to work. But if you are not feeling better after a certain amount of sessions, you may have a more severe type of depression. Not feeling better could include having symptoms that interfere with your ability to sleep, eat, work and enjoy life. Studies show that an antidepressant plus psychotherapy works better than psychotherapy alone for severe depression.
