3 Mistakes You Should Avoid With Your Medications For Depression
Depression is a serious mental illness that should not be taken lightly. If you or someone you know suffers from depression, it is crucial to seek professional help. Medication can be a big help in managing depression, but there are a few things to avoid if you want it to be as effective as possible. In this article, we'll go over three mistakes people often make with their medication for depression.
When it comes to antidepressants, what's the biggest mistake people make?
More than 250 million prescriptions for antidepressants are written each year in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10% of women over 18 are taking them.
However, treating depression requires more than just swallowing pills every day. Mistakes and misuse of antidepressants can hinder your recovery from depression.
The biggest mistake people make when it comes to antidepressants is not taking them as prescribed.
It is important to take antidepressants exactly as your psychiatric provider tells you to. This means taking them at the same time every day and not skipping doses.
People sometimes stop taking their antidepressant medication when they start to feel better. However, it is important to continue taking the medication as prescribed. Stopping your medication suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms or lead to a relapse of depression.
Some people also think that they can increase the effectiveness of their antidepressants by taking more than the prescribed dose. This is not true and can be dangerous. Taking more than the prescribed dose can lead to serious side effects, such as seizures or an increased heart rate.
If you are taking antidepressant medication, it is essential to follow your psychiatric provider's instructions carefully. Do not skip doses and do not stop taking the medication without talking to your psychiatric provider first.
Cut the medications for depression on your own because you're feeling better
Another big mistake you can make with your medications for depression is to cut them on your own because you're feeling better. It might seem like an exciting moment when you realize that you might be in recovery. When the medication treatment is working for a while, and you feel like you have not been struggling for quite some time, you may feel it is time to cut the medication and do it on your own. This is the most dangerous decision you can make.
When you stop taking antidepressants, you may experience temporary withdrawal symptoms (sometimes referred to as discontinuation syndrome). Dizziness, headaches, lethargy, sweating, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, and disturbed moods are some of the symptoms. It usually occurs within the first few days after stopping or significantly reducing the medications, and it can last up to 79 weeks. Six weeks is the average duration.
It's essential to always speak to your psychiatric provider before making any changes to your medication, even if you feel like you don't need it anymore. Abruptly stopping your medication can cause serious side effects and may even make your depression worse.
You can learn more about withdrawal syndrome and how to prevent its effects in this video here.
Not trusting the adaptation period
Another common mistake is that some people expect to feel better right after starting the medication. It is not always the case, however. When starting a new medication for depression, it's essential to trust the adaptation period. This is the time it takes for your body to adjust to the new medication and for the medication to start working. It can take several weeks for the full effects of the medication to be felt. During this time, continue with your treatment - stopping too early is one of the most common reasons for people not getting better and for depression to return.
So wait for the medication to work. Usually, the antidepressants take 2-4 weeks to begin working and sometimes up to 8 weeks to fully function. It is also important to take them as your psychiatric provider prescribed – if you don't, they won't work.
Additionally, always consult your psychiatric provider first, before abruptly stopping your medication or skipping doses. Conversations about side effects are important so that your psychiatric provider can make the necessary changes for you.
If you're taking medications for depression, it's also important to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. These substances can interact with your medications and make them less effective. They can also increase your risk of developing side effects.
Overall, be careful when taking medications for depression. Always speak to your psychiatric provider before making any changes, and follow their instructions carefully.
At LevelHeaded Mind, we provide high-quality mental health education to empower you to make the right treatment decisions for yourself. If you would like to receive 1:1 guidance on how to move forward on your mental health care journey, consider scheduling an initial mental health coaching session to level up your mental health and get unstuck.
