this post was submitted on 08 Aug 2023
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I really don't want to harsh your buzz because I'm really glad all of that happened to you, but antidepressants typically take 2, 4, even 8 weeks to work. Within a week is very unlikely. The reason I'm saying this is that there also could be serious side effects within that timeframe and, even if you're feeling better now, you need to be hyperaware of them because they include things like suicidal thoughts. Antidepressants can sometimes do the opposite of what is intended. The brain is complicated and it often takes more than one trial before you find the one that works for you. I went through at least 4 different antidepressants until I found one that worked- although I'm type II bipolar, making it more complicated, but my wife, who is not, had the same issues.
Like I said, I'm really happy for you that you got sleep and feel more energetic, but please, please, please pay attention to what your body and mind are telling you more than usual over the next couple of months.
Thank you for your advice, and I appreciate it. In light of your words, it could also be because of the sleep aid I took enabled me to actually sleep peacefully for the first time in about a month. I've had it thrice but I'm planning on cutting that one out starting today. Staying cautiously optimistic for the future!
I'll chime in, because I'm about 3 months on and remember exactly what you're experiencing. While Squid is probably correct about the meds not working just yet (and the great advice about making sure you check in with yourself), I now believe what I experienced on day one was happiness that I was finally taking care of myself.
I'm doing so much better now, and with CBT and the meds I feel like I'm finally enjoying my life for the first time in years. So enjoy your sleep, you've earned it by taking a huge, important step.
Good luck!
This being said I remember starting mine the first week 20+ years ago I felt the same. Right off within the first week I noticed changes in my body and it was good. I know how it feels to take them and to not take them. Taking them is better.
Taking them is definitely better, and if they don't work for you, you have to step down gradually. And I am happy for OP regardless of whether it is the antidepressant, better sleep or whatever.
Different classes of antidepressents have different timeframes and take effect differently. SSRIs certainly behave as you say, but others such as Trazadone (a mixed agent that works seretonen and andrenergic receptors) or Buproprian (norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake, nicotinic receptors) have very different profiles.
Trazadone works rather quickly, has minimal suicidal ideation, and has a side effect of making you sleep. Its often prescribed off-label for insomnia, and always has the instruction to only take at night, before bed.
Buproprian takes full effect within 3 or 4 days o, the first dose. It also is nit certain whether it needs a full titration schedule to discontinue, In trials, it was not distingaishable from placebo in causing suicidal ideation.
Based on OPs report of immediate sleep quality improvement, I would certainly not be surprised if short or long term trazadone were part of their prescribed depresshon management strategy. Its often prescribed in tandem with other agents as well, which we also do not know about.
TLDR: theres more than one kind of antidepressant, they have different mechanisms and side effects, and we don't actually know which ones OP is using
They just said they took a sleep aid and who takes Trazadone for depression? I've been prescribed almost every med for it and Trazadone was only for sleep.
I took trazadone for depression, its the primary on-label use. And they hadn't mentioned the sleep aid when I started the comment
Interesting. Most sleep meds I've been given were always originally made for depression, or vise versa. Pharmaceuticals always seemed to be an educated guess followed by trial results. Not an exact science. It sucks.