How Long It Takes for Antidepressants to Work

How Long It Takes for Antidepressants to Work Panic Disorder Treatment Print How Long Does It Take for Antidepressants to Work? By Sheryl Ankrom linkedin Sheryl Ankrom is a clinical professional counselor and nationally certified clinical mental health counselor specializing in anxiety disorders. Learn about our editorial policy Sheryl Ankrom Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 27, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD on November 27, 2019 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Joe Raedle / Getty Images If you have been prescribed an antidepressant medication to help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, you may be wondering how long it will take for the antidepressant to work. Read ahead to learn more about antidepressants, including how long they may take to work. What Are Antidepressants? As you can tell by the name, antidepressants are used to treat the symptoms of depression. This class of medication has also been found to effectively reduce the symptoms of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), and agoraphobia.  Additionally, antidepressants  have become the generally used medications to treat  panic disorder.?? There are different types or classes of antidepressants that impact chemical messengers in the brain. Known as neurotransmitters, these messengers are responsible for a variety of bodily functions and feelings, including sleep and mood regulation, anxiety levels, and motivation. Common classes of antidepressants used to treat anxiety-related disorders include:?? Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)  Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)?Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) How Long Antidepressants Take to Be Effective Studies have shown that antidepressants are effective in reducing or eliminating panic attacks and improving anticipatory anxiety and symptoms of agoraphobia. Unfortunately, antidepressants generally don’t result in immediate relief of symptoms. Many people will not see a significant improvement for several weeks.?? Studies have generally shown that the full benefits of antidepressant therapy may take as long as 8 to 12 weeks. However, this timeline is variable among individuals. What to Expect When Taking Antidepressants Some people may experience increased nervousness or anxiety at the beginning of antidepressant therapy. To reduce this possibility, your doctor may start you at a very low dose that is gradually increased. Some of the most common side effects of taking antidepressants include:?? Sleep disturbancesHeadachesFatigueDizzinessLightheadednessDry mouthNervousnessIncreased sweatingSexual side effectsBlurred visionNausea This list is only some of the side effects you can face while taking an antidepressant. You may experience one or more of these side effects, or you may not have to deal with any of them. These side effects typically subside and become much more manageable over time. If side effects are persistent and become difficult to manage, you can always consult your doctor about the possibility of changing the dosage or medication to better fit your needs.?? Your doctor may also prescribe a benzodiazepine (anti-anxiety medication) along with your antidepressant, especially in the beginning of treatment. Benzodiazepines provide quick relief, allowing for a faster sense of symptom alleviation. However, these medications have the potential for dependence and abuse. To reduce this risk, your doctor may take you off the benzodiazepine once the antidepressant reaches its full benefit.?? If you and your doctor believe that you have had an adequate trial of antidepressant therapy without significant improvement of symptoms, a medication change may be made. For the vast majority of panic disorder sufferers, the right medication will be found to improve or eliminate panic symptoms.