You may have to test out a few different treatment options before finding an effective remedy for your depression. With the availability of multiple medications, therapy techniques, and potential root causes, it can be difficult to nail down the right approach. For over 10% of Americans, antidepressants are the remedy of choice. However, antidepressants can be tricky, and it can often be difficult to gauge whether they are hurting, helping, or having any effect at all.
Given the painful, restrictive nature of unresolved depression, it is important to quickly identify which treatments work and which ones don’t. If you are in dire need of a depression treatment that works, spending months on a medication that has no effect can create deepened distress, discouragement, and additional risk of suicide or self-harm.
How to Know if Your Antidepressant Isn’t Working
Many people who take antidepressants report that they see little to no change since starting an antidepressant regimen, and others report that their trusted antidepressant medication no longer has any positive effects. In other cases, an antidepressant may produce strong positive emotions in conjunction with other confusing or negative side effects, making it difficult to tell whether it’s actually helping.
Here are a few signs your antidepressant may be working against you or not working at all:
- Worsened symptoms of depression: Antidepressants, though intended to improve your symptoms, can actually make them much worse. If you become more deeply depressed and/or experience nervousness, anxiety, and restlessness your antidepressant may be making your depression worse.
- Reduced control over emotions: If you experience intense mood swings, heightened or disproportionate emotional responses, and a sense that your emotions are controlling you, rather than the reverse, your antidepressant may be loosening your grip on your mental health and deepening your depression.
- Suicidal thoughts or hallucinations: Sometimes, antidepressants can cause intense suicidal thoughts and tendencies and even produce hallucinations, in some cases. If you are experiencing any of the above, stop taking your antidepressant immediately and seek help right away.
- Reduced positive effects: If you’ve been taking an antidepressant for an extended period of time and it has stopped delivering the positive results it once did, you may have built up a resistance or an immunity to that particular medication or that dose. However, it is crucial to consult your doctor or other mental health professional before you increase your dose or stop taking it all together.
There are a number of reasons your antidepressant may not be working and a number of ways its ineffectiveness may manifest itself in your life. If you think your antidepressant is not working, has stopped working, or is hurting you, don’t give up hope. There are a wide variety of treatment options for depression, and there are plenty of other techniques and medications out there that may help you cope and resume your normal life.
Treatment for Depression in Chico and Northern California
At Therapeutic Solutions, we believe in providing tailored, personalized care for every client, and we know that no two cases of depression are the same. We are experienced in a number of different treatment options and are committed to providing the highest quality mental and behavioral health services to our neighbors and friends in Chico and Northern California.
Some of the mental health treatments we offer include:
- Electroconvulsive Therapy: This may be a suitable option if you have not experienced success with antidepressants or other medications. It has proven valuable for patients who have developed a tolerance to antidepressants or who have allergies or other physical intolerances that keep them from using medication.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: If you have suffered with depression for a long time and are still struggling to find a healthy way out, TMS may provide a helpful alternative. If you have a physical or biological intolerance to antidepressants or have not seen success with medication, talk to one of our behavioral health therapists to find out if this is a viable option for you.
- Partial Hospitalization Program: If your antidepressants have been ineffective or stopped working and you have been hospitalized or seriously hurt as a result, partial hospitalization may provide a viable, affordable alternative to spending time in the hospital. This program provides participants with access to counseling, personalized care, transportation to and from appointments, and more.
If your antidepressants or other depression treatment method is failing, it is not the end. Our compassionate team is here to help make sure you are treated in a way that is helpful, not harmful, and that you have the opportunity to consider your options in order to find one that works.
Call (530) 899-3150 to speak to one of our friendly team members today.
Additional Reading on Depression
We have treated many people suffering from depression and are happy to provide you with the answers you need. If you have a lot of questions about depression, antidepressants, and available treatments, check out our blog:
