Antidepressants work by restoring a healthy balance to the chemicals in the brain that impacts your mood. It is important to remember that antidepressants are not a quick fix. Speaking to your therapist about what to expect when you first take antidepressants will prevent surprises as your brain becomes healthier and happier.
Improve Your Mood
One positive change you will experience on antidepressants is being in a better mood. Those old feelings you had of hopelessness, despair, and even suicidal thoughts will decrease. This means that the medication is working in balancing the chemicals in your brain. While it may take as little as a week for your mood to improve, do not be alarmed if you do not feel the full effects within a few weeks or months. Remember that antidepressants are not the cure-all for depression. You still need to pair your medication with therapy and healthy lifestyle habits to ease your symptoms in the long run.
Get More Social
It is typical for depression to make you feel isolated or withdrawn from others. Antidepressants can help you tackle those problems by increasing your energy and mood as well as improving your ability to engage in others. You may start experiencing these changes within a few weeks or months after starting antidepressants, depending on how quickly your body adjusts. Becoming more social will increase your confidence in being a joiner and having many loved ones around you.
Increase Your Productivity
With more energy now in your system, you will be more productive. Antidepressants help you focus and concentrate, which can boost your productivity at work and in life. You may have a better attention span or want to be more productive at work after the antidepressants kick in. Being more productive is a sign that you have gotten to the point of improvement where you feel the urge to get out of bed and do things with your life.
Sleep Changes
Some people with depression have a hard time sleeping when they have all these depressive thoughts in their heads. Antidepressants can help you sleep better. Since insomnia and depression tend to blend in together, treatment can give you a better quality of sleep. Combining therapy and other healthy methods, antidepressants can be a great tool to ensuring the chemicals in your brain are communicating with each other the right way and better improve your mental health.
Antidepressants help change the chemistry of the brain for the better. From a few weeks to a few months, you will see positive changes in your mood, sleep, and how you interact with others. At Alta Loma, we understand how serious depression can interfere with your relationships and your life. We have all the tools you need to help you get better. Located in Georgetown, Texas, we can provide you with medication management, individualized therapy, coping skills education, therapeutic recreational activities, and more. Please give us a call at (866) 457-3843 to learn more about our services.
