Signs Your Antidepressant Dose is Too Low

Antidepressants are prescription drugs that are used to treat major depressive disorder symptoms. There are different types of antidepressants, each of which work differently to mitigate depression symptoms. For many people, finding the right antidepressant can be a trial-and-error process. An antidepressant may work wonders for one person and not at all for another, and unfortunately, there isn’t a way to figure it out ahead of time. If you’re currently in this situation, we’re sharing some common signs your antidepressant dose is too low and when to speak to your doctor.

Antidepressants usually take about 1 to 2 weeks to kick in or take effect (without missing a dose). During this time, it’s important to take the medication exactly as prescribed and to never miss a dose. It’s also important to keep in mind that the beginning stages of taking a new antidepressant can be slightly uncomfortable.

You may experience some undesirable side effects like dry mouth, sedation, headache, and trouble sleeping as your body adapts to the new drug. If the antidepressant you’re taking is right for you, you’ll begin to feel the benefits within a week or two. These may include improved mood, concentration, and sociability.

As a residential mental health program in Boca, we recognize that many people with psychiatric disorders benefit from therapy as well as medication. However, as with any condition, finding the right kind of treatment is crucial for properly managing symptoms. So, if you feel as if you’re not getting the most out of your depression medication, below are some signs to look out for that your antidepressant dose is too low.

You Feel Better Immediately, But It Doesn’t Last

The effects of antidepressants are thought to be related to neurotransmitters or chemical messengers in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. As we mentioned, it can take 1 to 2 weeks for these changes to take effect, with a peak around the 6 to 8-week mark. So, if you feel immediately different after starting an antidepressant, it could simply be a placebo effect.

Sometimes this placebo effect wears off, and the actual effects of the medication kick in. Other times, the placebo effects wear off, but the medication never takes effect. This can be confusing to patients, as they may believe that the medication suddenly stopped working. However, the more likely problem is that the medication just didn’t work for them in the first place.

We’re human, so it’s normal to miss a dose here and there or to take medications at irregular intervals, but this can be a problem for someone who’s taking antidepressants. Not taking antidepressant medication consistently or at irregular intervals can inhibit its ability to treat your symptoms – or prevent it from working at all.

Many people who take their depression medications irregularly often find that their symptoms haven’t improved. This may lead them to skip their doses entirely or attempt to take higher doses after days when they forgot to take their medication.

The best way to avoid this is to set alarms daily to remind yourself to take your antidepressant, so you don’t miss any doses. Furthermore, do not take double the dose after a day where you missed a dose, as this can produce a negative reaction.

Antidepressants can affect your ability to sleep, as well as your sexual drive or libido, which can also make sleep difficult. In some cases, antidepressants can also cause nightmares, vivid dreams, and myoclonus (a condition marked by a sudden jerking of limbs.) As you can imagine, these side effects can easily keep someone from getting their full eight hours.

However, changing your nighttime routine should be enough to fix this issue. Some tips that you can follow include practicing deep breathing before bed or listening to calming sounds or music in bed.

Generally, people see improvement after taking their antidepressants for three months. If you’ve been on antidepressants for three months and don’t see any improvements in your symptoms or mood, then it’s possible your antidepressant dose is too low.

If you feel energetic after starting an antidepressant but haven’t shown any improvements in mood, it means that the medication is working, just not in the way it’s supposed to. Increased energy combined with depression can lead to risky behaviors, impulsivity, and an increased risk of suicide. If you experience these reactions, report them to your doctor right away.

As we said, sometimes finding the right antidepressant for you is trial-and-error and switching and trying new medications comes with some unwanted side effects. For instance, if you experience weight gain or decreased sexual drive or performance, for instance, you might need to switch medications altogether. Again, you must report any adverse reactions to your doctor as soon as possible.

Serotonin syndrome occurs when serotonin levels in the body are too high. If you’re taking low-dose antidepressants, serotonin syndrome may occur if your medication combines with others that you’re taking or foods that you’re eating. Although dangerous, serotonin syndrome is not usually fatal, and it’s avoidable.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications you take and ask about the foods or drinks you should avoid consuming while taking antidepressants.

It’s normal for people to develop a tolerance to a drug after using it for a long time. As a result, the medication that once worked wonders for your mood and energy suddenly doesn’t pack the same punch. Sometimes, a doctor might increase your dose to alleviate symptoms, and other times, they might just change the medication altogether.

However, if you’re experiencing this issue, do not increase your dose without the guidance and direction of the prescribing doctor, as this can lead to serotonin syndrome and possibly overdose. It’s equally important that you continue taking your regular dose of antidepressants until you meet with your doctor, and they devise a game plan.

If your depression symptoms immediately worsen or improve and then suddenly get worse, it’s a sign that the antidepressant isn’t working properly. Whether you need a higher dose, or a different medication is up to the doctor, so be sure to speak to your physician the moment you experience any of these side effects.

Antidepressants can sometimes cause mood swings, especially in people with a tendency or family history of bipolar disorder. If you feel unusually euphoric or very terse with others, feel noticeably irritable, or have an uncharacteristic attack of road rage, then that antidepressant might not be the one for you.

If you experience relief from symptoms on an antidepressant, but not to the extent you were expecting, then you should try something new. Many people benefit from receiving combination treatments for depression. In addition to taking medication for your symptoms, depression treatment that involves therapy and counseling can address any psychological issues that contribute to your symptoms that aren’t mitigated by medication.

For instance, trauma and grief tend to be major underlying factors of depression, and therapy is a great way to address the problems so you can tackle depression symptoms from the inside out. The combination of medication and mood-boosting mental health treatment can speed your recovery and prepare you to manage any challenges that may threaten your progress along the way.

When to Increase Antidepressant Dosages

Antidepressants not working? Don’t wait to speak to your doctor. If you’ve been taking an antidepressant for four weeks and either continue to feel side effects or haven’t shown any improvement, then it’s time to discuss your options with your physician.

You must not increase the doses of your antidepressant without consulting your doctor first. Taking higher doses than your body is used to can lead to an overdose, serotonin syndrome, and other possible complications. Additionally, if you forgot to take your antidepressant one day, do not double your dose the following day - just continue with your schedule as normal.

It’s also important to avoid alcohol or taking other medications with your antidepressant unless you get the okay from your doctor. Many possible drug interactions could occur, so make sure to take your depression medication as directed.

Help for Depression

As we mentioned, antidepressants alone aren’t always the solution for treating depression. Some people benefit either from a combination of medication and therapy or from therapy alone. The important thing is to be open about your symptoms with your doctor to determine what works best for you.

With that said, if your antidepressants aren’t cutting it and you want to add a layer of support to your treatment, our mental health program in Boca Raton offers both inpatient and PHP treatment options for people with all kinds of mental health disorders, including depression, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, and others.

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"How Long Does Depression Last? & Will It Go Away on Its Own?

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