How do I know if my antidepressant is working?
Antidepressant medications can be an effective treatment option for depression, anxiety, and OCD. But how do we know if they’re actually working? Dr. Holly Betterly MD, Board-Certified Psychiatrist in Weston, FL, takes us through some common signs that your antidepressant is doing what its supposed to be doing, as well as objective measures that your psychiatrist may utilize in assessing your response to medication.
This post is provided for educational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. If you have questions, reach out to your doctor for more information.
Struggling with your mental health? Reach out for professional support. Dr. Betterly is a board-certified psychiatrist in Weston, FL dedicated to helping you overcome depression, anxiety, and OCD. She offers appointments at her office in Weston, FL, conveniently located in Weston Town Center, as well as via telehealth. Request an appointment today to start your journey to better mental health.
“How are you feeling?”
When it comes to assessing your response to an antidepressant, or any other medication for that matter, nothing can replace your lived experience, and how you feel in your own body. Remember that you’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to your mental health treatment. Don’t be afraid to speak up- whether things are going well, or whether there’s room for improvement, your psychiatrist wants to know!
Sometimes, however, it can be tricky for us to notice changes in ourselves, particularly when these changes are gradual. For this reason, it can be helpful to get an outsider’s perspective. Let’s take a look at some clues that you may have passed over, as well as some of the objective tools that psychiatrists may utilize when you return for your follow up visit!
2. No more counting sheep
Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression often impact our sleep. For those struggling with depression, it is not uncommon to find yourself sleeping all day long, yet never really achieving that well-rested feeling. You may feel like you’re living in a fog, struggling to make it through the day. For others, depression may look like being unable to get much sleep at all- laying in bed awake until the early hours of the morning, tossing and turning, or waking up well before your alarm goes off.
People struggling with anxiety disorders may have similar trouble with falling asleep, finding that their mind is stuck in a constant cycle of worry and rumination as they attempt to drift off. They may also find themselves waking up frequently throughout the night, playing the events of the day over and over again in their head.
When you find yourself waking up in the morning feeling well-rested after a solid night of sleep, it may be a sign that your antidepressant is starting to take effect.
3. A healthy appetite
Anxiety and depression can cause changes in appetite, and in turn, fluctuations in our weight. When you are feeling stressed, tense, and upset, that pit-in-your-stomach feeling can make food seem unappealing, or bring up feelings of nausea. Many people experiencing depression simply lose interest in eating, needing to remind themselves to take in enough food for the day. Others struggling with mental health challenges may find themselves turning to food for comfort, eating significantly more than they usually would, or perhaps eating different types of food than they would in the past.
If you are seeing your appetite return back to its usual state, or find yourself replacing stress eating with alternative coping skills like listening to music, things may be headed in the right direction. Keep in mind that you may not necessarily see these changes reflected on the scale, especially right away.
It’s also important to remember that many antidepressants have the potential to cause changes in weight and appetite, which could also be playing a role (learn more in our blog post about antidepressants and weight). Your doctor will likely monitor your weight over time to catch any cause for medical concern- but don’t be afraid to bring this up if it’s been on your mind!
4. Let me check my calendar…
When we’re struggling with mental health challenges, we often find ourselves withdrawing from loved ones, holing up at home in isolation. Sometimes it can feel too overwhelming to get out of bed, spending the day scrolling on our phones. Text messages get left on read, with any degree of socialization feeling like just too much to bear. Activities that previously brought us joy just don’t feel interesting any more, and we find ourselves skipping out on gym day or pottery class.
If you’re finding yourself picking up the phone more often for a chat with a friend, getting comfy on the couch with your family for movie night, or booking tickets to see your favorite band when they come to town next month, it could be a sign that your symptoms are improving.
5. The dishes are done
When we’re feeling depressed, burnt out, or anxious, our social calendar isn’t the only thing that can take a hit. When motivation and energy are at a low, it can feel impossible to keep on top of chores, with dishes piling up in the sink, and laundry spilling out of the hamper. As your mental health improves, you may notice it becoming easier to attend to household tasks.
And if you’re not there quite yet, give yourself grace! The dishes can always wait another day, and there’s nothing wrong with letting the laundry hang out in the dryer or go for another spin in the washer.
6. A shower sounds refreshing rather than overwhelming
Under the heavy weight of depression, we may find ourselves staying in pajamas day after day, or putting off personal hygiene tasks like brushing our teeth. The thought of showering may feel overwhelming, or for others, may not even cross your mind.
If you find yourself looking forward to the warm, cleansing water of the shower as you wash away the day, or wondering where you put your favorite shirt, it could be a sign of improvement. And again, if you’re not feeling up to it yet, remind yourself to take things one day at a time.
7. Your rewind button is getting a break
Our ability to focus and concentrate can suffer when we are struggling with mental health challenges. You may find yourself rereading the same passage over and over again without really absorbing it, or hitting rewind while watching your favorite show because you were lost in thought. Your performance at work may have taken a hit because of difficulties with maintaining attention.
On the edge of your seat as you watch this week’s episode, or pausing for a discussion with your partner rather than asking for a recap? Your concentration may be returning.
8. Your scores are improving!
Many psychiatrists utilize standardized symptom rating scales to help monitor mental health symptoms over time. These tools give us a snapshot of which specific symptoms have been troubling you since your last visit, as well as how severely they have been impacting you. They offer a degree of objectivity by providing a numerical score rating that can be tracked from visit to visit.
If your scores are improving, this is a good sign that your treatment may be effective, and that things may be headed in the right direction.
It’s important to note that while these scales can be a helpful tool, they don’t always tell the full story. Be sure to let your psychiatrist know if you feel like your score isn’t all that reflective of your actual experience!
