What happens if you take antidepressants and you're not depressed?

(If a person who isn't depressed takes antidepressants, they do not improve that person's mood or functioning - it's not a "happy pill.") Rarely, people experience apathy or loss of emotions while on certain antidepressants. When this happens, lowering the dose or switching to a different antidepressant may help.

Also, can you still get depressed while on antidepressants?

There also can be other reasons an antidepressant is no longer working for you, such as: Worsening depression. It's common for depression symptoms to return or worsen at some point, despite treatment. The current dose of medication you're taking may not be enough to prevent your symptoms when depression gets worse.

Furthermore, do antidepressants mess up your brain? Research on animals has found that antidepressants can shrink the connections between brain cells and that these don't grow back after the drugs are stopped. However, no research has shown a link between serotonin levels in the brain and depression. 'The disease model has been a disaster,' says Professor Gøtzsche.

Subsequently, one may also ask, what do antidepressants do to a normal person?

Most antidepressants -- though not Wellbutrin -- are in a group of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. They prevent the body from re-absorbing the naturally occurring chemical serotonin, thus increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

What happens if you take sertraline and you don't need it?

Sertraline oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don't take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don't take it at all: Your depression will not get better. It may even get worse.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What is the most dangerous antidepressant?

TCAs. When compared to other types of antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) result in the highest number of fatal overdoses. The typical daily dose of the TCA amitriptyline is between 40 and 100 milligrams (mg).

Can you stay on Prozac for life?

For most people, fluoxetine is safe to take for a long time. A few people may get sexual side effects, such as problems getting an erection or a lower sex drive. In some cases these can continue even after stopping the medicine.

How do you know if your antidepressant is working?

Coping With Depression: A Guide to Good Treatment

You skipped a dose — or several.
You experience no relief from depression symptoms after a few months.
You feel a sudden surge of energy — along with the blues.
You're experiencing unpleasant side effects.
Your antidepressant doesn't pack the punch it used to.

Do Antidepressants Make You Happy?

Antidepressants help relieve the symptoms of depression and associated anxiety. They do not make you euphoric, but simply help you react more realistically in your emotional responses. You may notice, for example, that you take in your stride little things that used to worry you or get you down.

Can antidepressants make you suicidal?

Antidepressants and Adults

They found no significant increase in risk of suicide for adults taking antidepressants. There is growing evidence that many antidepressants and anti-psychotics can cause 'akathisia'. Akathisia is a type of body restlessness and an urgent need to keep moving.

Why do antidepressants not work for everyone?

Summary: More than half the people who take antidepressants for depression never get relief. The reason, according to new research, is that the cause of depression has been oversimplified and drugs designed to treat it aim at the wrong target. One is that stressful life events are a major cause of depression.

What is the primary cause of depression?

Changes in the brain

It's complicated, and there are multiple causes of major depression. Factors such as genetic vulnerability, severe life stressors, substances you may take (some medications, drugs and alcohol) and medical conditions can affect the way your brain regulates your moods.

How do I get put on antidepressants?

Antidepressants are usually taken in tablet form. When they're prescribed, you'll start on the lowest possible dose thought necessary to improve your symptoms. Antidepressants usually need to be taken for 1 or 2 weeks (without missing a dose) before the benefit starts to be felt.

Should I put my teenager on antidepressants?

The warnings about a possible link between antidepressants and suicidal thoughts do not mean that antidepressants should not be used in children. For many children and teens, antidepressants are an effective way to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder or other mental health conditions.

Do SSRIs permanently change your brain?

Depression drugs -- SSRIs -- may reorganize brain plasticity, new research suggests. Summary: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) such as Prozac are regularly used to treat severe anxiety and depression. New research investigates physiological changes within the brain that may be caused by SSRI treatment.

Will I be on antidepressants forever?

Although it may be tempting to stop medication as your mood lifts, continue taking it for as long as your doctor recommends. Most doctors advise patients to take antidepressants for six months to a year after they no longer feel depressed.

Do Antidepressants Make You Fat?

Weight gain is a possible side effect of nearly all antidepressants. However, each person responds to antidepressants differently. Some people gain weight when taking a certain antidepressant, while others don't.

What happens if you take Effexor when you don't need it?

Missing doses of venlafaxine may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms. Stopping venlafaxine abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin).

What happens if you take fluoxetine and don't need it?

Missing doses of fluoxetine may increase your risk for relapse in your symptoms. Stopping fluoxetine abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin).

Is taking antidepressants bad for you?

Although generally less unpleasant than those caused by older antidepressants, the unwanted effects of newer pills such as Prozac include insomnia, agitation and loss of libido. Many doctors think that antidepressants are worth a try, and they can always be stopped if side effects get too bad.

What happens if you take antidepressants with alcohol?

Drinking alcohol while taking antidepressants is generally not advised because alcohol can make depression worse. It can also increase the side effects of some antidepressants, such as drowsiness, dizziness and co-ordination problems.

Do antidepressants make you tired?

Some antidepressants may cause insomnia, making it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep, so you may be tired during the day. Take your antidepressant in the morning if your doctor approves.