Long-term use of psychiatric drugs may cause permanent brain damage, which has been most clearly documented for antipsychotics [20, 21]. Animal studies have shown that prenatal exposure to psychiatric drugs can lead to altered physiology and behaviour later in life [22, 23].
As previously mentioned, antidepressants could have long-term effects on physical and mental health. Specifically, weight gain seems to be a common long-term risk, especially the medications that affect serotonin levels. This could be because serotonin is associated with an increase in appetite.
In fact, many people report feeling completely back to normal when taking these medications. Although SSRIs are similar in nature to one another, their side effects and tolerability can vary from one person to the next. Similarly, the dosage can differ markedly between individuals as well.
In studies on adults with moderate or severe depression, 40–60% report improvements within 6–8 weeks. Those who wish to come off antidepressants because they feel better should ideally wait for at least 6–9 months after complete symptom remission before stopping their medication.
Preliminary studies suggest that antidepressants do activate neuroplasticity in adult human brains as observed by increased neuroplasticity in the adult visual cortex of both depressed and healthy controls, prior to providing them with sertraline hydrochloride.
In the simplest answer, the long-term effects of antidepressants on brain chemistry aren't understood very well. Some research has suggested this type of drug aids in neuroplasticity. In other words, these drugs can affect how our minds organize and form synaptic connections.
Antidepressant therapy can exhibit effects on neuroplasticity and reverse the neuroanatomical changes found in depressed patients.
And, since depression is often a long-term disease, people needs long-term treatments for it. “There are clear differences between a healthy brain and a depressed brain,” Dr. Katz says. “And the exciting thing is, when you treat that depression effectively, the brain goes back to looking like a healthy brain.”
It's usually recommended that a course of antidepressants continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition recurring when you stop. Some people with recurrent illness are advised to carry on taking medicine indefinitely.
For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.
If you stop taking an antidepressant because you're feeling better, your doctor may want to keep in touch to see how you're feeling once the med has left your system. It's possible that your symptoms might return when the antidepressant is no longer in your body. With Bezzy for Depression, you're never alone.
If you have been taking an antidepressant for only a few weeks you may be able to reduce, and stop, over a month or so. Even if you have only mild (or no) withdrawal symptoms, it is best to do this over at least four weeks.
Many people with depression continue taking antidepressant drugs for months or even years after their symptoms have resolved. This so-called maintenance therapy aims to reduce the risk of relapse. The numbers of people taking maintenance therapy for depression is increasing.
Antidepressants may worsen blood sugar control because they can cause significant weight gain. SSRIs and Pamelor (nortriptyline) reportedly worsen blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Tricyclic antidepressants cause hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) in humans.
Generally speaking, SSRIs and SNRIs are well-tolerated by most people. They also have good evidence supporting their long-term safety. Older antidepressants, like TCAs and MAOIs, tend to cause more side effects.
You are feeling better, and you and the doctor agree that it is time to stop. You have been taking the medicine for at least 6 months after you feel better. You are having counselling to help you cope with problems and help change how you think and feel. You are not worried about the depression coming back.
Safety of daily doses above 20 mg has not been demonstrated. Usual dosage is 10 mg once daily. Depending on individual patient response, the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg daily. Usually 2-4 weeks are necessary to obtain antidepressant response.
You may be tempted to stop taking antidepressants as soon as your symptoms ease, but depression can return if you quit too soon. Clinicians generally recommend staying on the medication for six to nine months before considering going off antidepressants.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and other therapies can help change unhealthy thinking patterns, while simple stress reducers can help you take some of the pressure out of your life. Set aside time to think about the stressors in your life and brainstorm ways to reduce them.
Scientists now know that the brain has an amazing ability to change and heal itself in response to mental experience. This phenomenon, known as neuroplasticity, is considered to be one of the most important developments in modern science for our understanding of the brain.
Although this is beneficial for someone who's depressed, for someone who does not have depression, taking antidepressant medication can cause serotonin to build up in the body, resulting in serotonin syndrome. When serotonin levels are too high, the person may experience symptoms like: Agitation or restlessness.
Some antidepressants can also interfere with neurotransmitters that are involved in memory function or they may cause sleepiness which interferes with attention. Fortunately there are other treatment options for depression you can discuss with your healthcare provider.
Even if you experience brain zaps after you stop taking antidepressants, the problem shouldn't last too long. While some patients have reported experiencing brain zaps for years, Dr. Barnett explained, "I would say [for] the vast majority of people, they typically resolve within a month."