It’s been two weeks since you started your antidepressants. Still, you see no change. Each day feels like your anxiety disorder symptoms only worsen. You wake up hoping for a miracle, but none comes.
Sometimes, medication for sleep disorders or mental depression takes more time than expected. Still, there are some crucial things to consider and evaluate if it feels like your medication isn’t working the way it should.
We’ve listed common reasons why you’re not benefiting from your medicines. Following the guidelines means opening doors to a brighter and stress-free life.
1. Taking medication without prescribed intervals/dosage
Being under stress can make you forget about the accurate time and dosage of your medicines.
Also, some antidepressants require food consumption. Therefore, altering the time or dosage can cause harmful consequences. That’s why you need to follow the exact prescription your mental health professional has given. Eventually, your symptoms should improve.
2. Developing tolerance
If you’ve been taking the same antidepressants for a long time (2-3 months), tolerance may occur over time. That means your body no longer adequately reacts to the mental health treatment regimen.
If that has happened to you, it’s easy to reevaluate your medication options by consulting with a qualified mental health professional.
3. Interacting negatively with other medicines
Taking several medications along with one or more antidepressants can lead to negative interactions. Ultimately, it can cause side effects that you never experienced before, like nausea or vomiting. In the worst-case scenario, it can lead to severe suicidal thoughts.
It’s always advisable to discuss your medical and medication history with your mental health counselor to adjust your treatment regimen accordingly.
4. Consuming alcohol
Alcohol and other drugs negatively impact the absorption patterns of antidepressants. Not only could consuming along with your medication become a destructive path, but you’ll waste precious money on medication that isn’t working like it should be.
Like any situation, there’s a way to get in control of your drinking habits.
Your mental health professional at Quality Psychiatric Health and Wellness is there to listen. While listening to you, she will get to the root causes of your mental stress disorders and advise appropriate changes to your treatment regimen. To know more about how she can assist you, click here.
5. Dealing with added life stress
Certain life situations, like illness, a family member’s passing, or loss of a job, can add to your depression. While tha’s understandable, it can also lead to developing barriers to mental health treatment.
In times like these, having a caring hand to lift you from life’s negativities can help. Support groups offer a safe place for you to come to peace with life. Similarly, talking to a trusted friend or mental health professional helps too.
What to Do Next?
If you’ve observed the above changes in yourself, then the first question to ask is, “what can I do next?†After all, achieving healthier life goals is your right.
That’s why you should:
Seek A Second Opinion:
Be sure to talk to a licensed professional mental health counselor on how to proceed further. A counselor who listens with empathy and care and gets to the root causes of your anxiety disorder is someone who can work wonders.
Try Psychotherapy:
While medications do work, adding psychotherapy to your treatment improves your healing process two-fold.
At Quality Psychiatric Health and Wellness, I serve all our patients regardless of age or race. I am focused on one aim: to help you enjoy life through effective treatment options.
