• Mental Health

How Do Antidepressants Make You Feel?

Living with depression or anxiety can drain your energy, cloud your thoughts, and make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. 

Starting antidepressants can feel like a hopeful step forward, but it’s normal to have questions. Will they help improve your mood and energy, or will the side effects make it harder to adjust? 

In this article, we outline what antidepressants are, how they work, and what you can expect when you start taking them. 

Whether you’re just starting this journey or considering your options, understanding the process can help ease your concerns and help you feel more prepared for what’s ahead. 

Understanding Antidepressants 

Antidepressants are medications designed to help regulate brain chemistry and improve mood. They are most commonly prescribed to treat different types of depressive disorders, such as:

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) 

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

However, antidepressants can also be effective for managing other mental health conditions, including: 

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Panic disorder 

Antidepressants target neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain that influence mood, emotions, and overall mental well-being. 

These medications typically increase serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine levels — which are associated with feelings of happiness and calmness. 

By boosting or regulating these chemicals, antidepressants can help relieve symptoms like persistent sadness, irritability, or anxious thoughts. 

What are the Different Types of Antidepressant Medications?

There are several types of antidepressants, each designed to treat depression and anxiety in unique ways. Let’s take a closer look at the most common ones. 

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Drugs like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), boost serotonin levels by preventing its reabsorption. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed first-line anxiety and depression treatments. 

• Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): SNRIs, such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta), increase both serotonin and norepinephrine by blocking their reuptake in the brain. They are often prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders when SSRIs have not been effective. 

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs): MAOIs — like phenelzine (Nardil) — block an enzyme that breaks down serotonin and dopamine, which allows more of these chemicals to be active in the brain. These antidepressants require strict dietary restrictions to avoid interactions with foods and other medications, making them less commonly prescribed. 

• Tricyclic antidepressants: These are an older class of antidepressants that block the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their levels in the brain to improve mood. Tricyclic antidepressants can lead to side effects like drowsiness or dry mouth, making them less commonly prescribed medications.

Your doctor will evaluate your specific depression symptoms and overall health to decide which antidepressant to prescribe.

Starting Antidepressants 

When you’re first prescribed antidepressants, it’s normal to experience a mix of emotions and physical changes as your body adjusts to the medication. 

As mentioned above, your healthcare provider will work with you to find the right antidepressant for your needs, and likely start you on a lower dose to minimize any potential side effects. 

How long does it take for antidepressants to work?

Unlike other medications, antidepressants don’t work immediately. It can take four to six weeks to feel the full effects as the medication begins to balance your brain chemistry. 

During this transition period, some people may notice mild side effects, and your doctor might need to adjust the dose or switch medications to find the best fit for your symptoms.

Maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider will help you monitor how the medication makes you feel, and ensure adjustments are made along the way. 

How Will Antidepressants Make Me Feel?

Antidepressants affect everyone differently, so it’s important to be aware of the potential side effects and positive changes you may experience as your body adjusts to the medication. 

Below, we outline some of the most common reactions.

Early-onset side effects

These are side effects that often appear shortly after starting antidepressants and typically improve after a few weeks when your body is used to the medication. 

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea 

Antidepressants — especially SSRIs — can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea because they increase serotonin levels, which affect the brain and digestive system. 

About 90% of the body’s serotonin is found in the gut, where it regulates intestinal movement and fluid secretion. 

The increase in serotonin after taking antidepressants can overstimulate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to these symptoms.

Heightened anxiety or restlessness

When starting SSRI antidepressants, some individuals may experience heightened anxiety or restlessness. 

Although it seems counterintuitive, this is because the increased serotonin may overstimulate certain neural pathways, and lead to a temporary reaction known as “jitteriness syndrome”. 

These symptoms are generally short-lived and subside as the brain adjusts to the mediation. 

Sleep disturbances 

SSRIs affect serotonin levels, which play a role in regulating your sleeping patterns. 

Serotonin supports wakefulness and mood stability during the day, but it also interacts with melatonin — a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. 

Changes in serotonin levels can disrupt this balance, leading to trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless sleep. 

Longer-term side effects 

The side effects below may persist over time, or appear after you’ve been using antidepressants over an extended period. 

Weight changes

Certain antidepressants can lead to weight changes due to their effects on appetite, metabolism, and energy levels. 

Medications like mirtazapine and certain SSRIs (such as paroxetine), increase serotonin levels, which can stimulate appetite or alter how the body processes energy. 

These medications may cause fatigue, leading to reduced physical activity, or increase cravings for carbohydrates, both of which contribute to weight gain over time.

Although not everyone experiences this side effect, those who do may notice gradual weight gain after the first few months of treatment.

Sexual side effects

SSRIs may also cause sexual side effects because they alter serotonin levels, which impacts sexual desire and response. 

Increased serotonin levels in the brain can suppress dopamine activity — a neurotransmitter crucial for sexual arousal and pleasure. 

This may result in reduced libido, difficulty achieving orgasm, or erectile dysfunction. 

Positive changes

While the initial adjustment period can be challenging, many people experience significant positive changes as their antidepressants begin to take effect. 

Improved mood and energy levels

After about four to six weeks of taking antidepressants, many individuals notice an improvement in their mood and energy levels. 

By balancing serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, these medications help enhance emotional well-being, regulate mood, and lead to a greater ability to engage in daily activities. 

Although antidepressants can be effective, using them with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) often leads to better outcomes. 

Working with a mental health professional through CBT can help people change negative thought patterns and behaviors, creating a holistic approach to managing depression and anxiety. 

A better ability to cope with daily stressors

As antidepressants take effect, they can help individuals manage daily stressors more effectively by reducing the emotional intensity often linked to anxiety and depression.

These medications regulate mood and stress responses by maintaining optimal levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. 

This can help individuals with depression and anxiety feel less overwhelmed by tasks or situations that previously seemed unmanageable. 

Enhanced sleep quality

As we mentioned earlier, it’s common to experience sleep disturbances when first starting antidepressants. 

However, as your body adapts over several weeks, antidepressants may help regulate sleep patterns by reducing the symptoms of anxiety or depression that interfere with rest.

This can lead to improved energy levels and mood, reinforcing the overall benefits of the medication.

What Should I Do When I Want to Stop Taking My Antidepressant Medication? 

If you’re thinking about stopping your antidepressants, it’s important to speak to your doctor first — even if you start feeling better. 

Stopping the medication abruptly can lead to unpleasant side effects or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, a condition characterized by symptoms like:

• Dizziness

• Irritability 

• Insomnia

• Muscle aches 

This is particularly common with certain medications, such as SSRIs and SNRIs. 

Your doctor will recommend a tapering plan that gradually reduces your dosage over weeks or even months. 

This approach gives your body time to adjust and minimizes the risk of withdrawal symptoms. 

It’s also an opportunity to monitor how you’re feeling as the medication is reduced, ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible.

Where Can I Learn More About Antidepressants and Mental Health?

If you’re navigating antidepressant options or concerned about how they’re making you feel, Life MD is here to help.

A team of healthcare professionals can provide personalized guidance, create personalized treatment plans, and ensure you’re on the right path to improving your well-being.

Schedule an appointment today to get expert care from the comfort of your home.

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