How long is the average person on antidepressants?

Most people are advised to keep taking their antidepressant for at least 6 to 12 months after they start to feel better, to reduce the risk of symptoms returning. It's important to discuss with your doctor about the best time to stop an antidepressant.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthdirect.gov.au

How long is someone supposed to be on antidepressants?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

Is it okay to be on antidepressants for years?

Long-term—even indefinite—use of antidepressants may be the best treatment for someone with multiple past episodes of depression, especially if they have a history of suicide attempts or have residual symptoms, like sleep problems, says Dr. Potash. Dr.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on adaa.org

Do you have to stay on antidepressants your whole life?

Do I have to take antidepressants forever is a question that some ask as they struggle with depression. This is one of the more common myths associated with the condition. You do not need to take antidepressants forever nor do you need to get a prescription from a counselor or therapist.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on pulsetms.com

How long is the average person on SSRI?

It's usually recommended that a course of SSRIs continues for at least 6 months after you feel better, to prevent your condition coming back when you stop. However, if you've experienced previous episodes of depression, a 2-year course may be recommended.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

How Long Should You Use Antidepressants?

19 related questions found

How do you know when to go off antidepressants?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myhealth.alberta.ca

Can you live a long life on antidepressants?

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 17 studies comparing people using antidepressants to those on placebo. They found that those taking antidepressants were 33% more likely to die during the study time frame and 14% more likely to have a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular event.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on peoplespharmacy.com

Does your brain go back to normal after antidepressants?

If the symptoms develop later or gradually, they may constitute a relapse of the depression. Ultimately, these withdrawal symptoms will improve with time, but they can be unpleasant for days and possibly even weeks. In time, the brain readjusts and people should experience a return to their normal state.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fherehab.com

Are antidepressants OK long term?

Antidepressants, specifically SSRIs which are considered the most tolerable and are therefore the most prescribed, are generally safe to take long-term.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on simplypsychology.org

Are all antidepressants hard to get off at?

The few studies of antidepressant withdrawal that have been published suggest that it is harder to get off some medications than others. This is due to differences in the drugs' half-life — the time it takes the body to clear the medication once the pills are stopped.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nytimes.com

Will I have to take anxiety meds forever?

7) Do I have to take my anxiety medication for life? Not always. It depends on your symptoms and how controlled they become over time. As mentioned, if you're taking an antidepressant, it may take a few weeks before your symptoms improve.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on goodrx.com

What are the benefits of coming off antidepressants?

If you decrease your daily calorie intake as a result, you could potentially lose weight by stopping your antidepressants. On the other hand, if you experience loss of appetite with depression, and your depression comes back after stopping antidepressants, you may also lose weight.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com

How long does it take to feel normal after antidepressants?

Withdrawal symptoms usually come on within 5 days of stopping the medicine and generally last 1 to 2 weeks. Some people have severe withdrawal symptoms that last for several months or more. See your doctor if you get severe withdrawal symptoms after you stop taking antidepressants.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

What are the long term effects of antidepressants?

Long-Term Effects of Antidepressants
  • Sexual problems (72%), including the inability to reach orgasm (65%)
  • Weight gain (65%)
  • Feeling emotionally numb (65%)
  • Not feeling like themselves (54%)
  • Reduced positive feelings (46%)
  • Feeling as if they're addicted (43%)
  • Caring less about other people (36%)
  • Feeling suicidal (36%)

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on verywellmind.com

Are antidepressants worth it?

If you keep taking your medicine, there is a good chance that you will start to feel less depressed and that the side effects will decrease. Most people feel that the benefits of antidepressants are well worth the price of living with some side effects.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on myhealth.alberta.ca

How long should you stay on antidepressants for anxiety?

Take your time.

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 it.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on gatewaypsychiatric.com

Do antidepressants lower lifespan?

The study found that antidepressant users had a 33% higher chance of death than non-users. Antidepressant users also had a 14% higher risk of cardiovascular events, such as strokes and heart attacks.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on managedhealthcareexecutive.com

Why is coming off antidepressants so hard?

A person may experience withdrawal symptoms due to chemical changes in the brain. The body adjusts to changes that an antidepressant such as Zoloft may cause. Stopping or reducing the antidepressant can throw the brain into a state of imbalance. This can have a physical and mental impact.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

Does stopping antidepressants make it worse?

Stopping medication can set back your treatment plan. It can increase the time it takes to feel better or it can actually cause your symptoms to worsen.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com

How can I get off antidepressants naturally?

Never stop "cold turkey." In many cases, the best way to stop taking most antidepressants is to slowly cut back your dose under the guidance of your doctor. This is called tapering. Tapering helps your brain adjust to the chemical changes and can help prevent discontinuation symptoms.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com

How do I know my antidepressant is working?

How do I know if my antidepressant works? When you start taking an antidepressant, you should begin to function better in your daily life before you start feeling better, says Dr. Michael McGee. In other words, you should begin sleeping better, eating better, and having more energy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on psycom.net

Does depression come back after stopping antidepressants?

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.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu

How long does it take to cure depression with antidepressants?

Antidepressants are usually taken daily. The goal in the first few weeks and months is to relieve the symptoms and, where possible, make the depression go away. Once that has been achieved, the treatment is continued for at least four to nine months.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How to live without antidepressants?

Several treatments can be used instead of antidepressants for treating depression and other mental health conditions.
  1. Talking therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy. ...
  2. Exercise. ...
  3. Self-help groups. ...
  4. Lithium. ...
  5. Electric shock treatment.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk

What is the first drug of choice for anxiety?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) SSRIs and SNRIs are often the first-line treatment for anxiety. Common SSRI brands are Celexa, Lexapro, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bannerhealth.com