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What to Expect When Starting Antidepressants
- Dr Titilayo Akinsola
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
Deciding to start antidepressants is a significant step. You’re seeking relief, clarity, and a better quality of life. At Favor Mental Health, we believe in equipping you with knowledge and empowerment — not just a prescription. In this post we’ll explore how antidepressants work, what your early weeks may look like, how to monitor progress and side-effects, and why your support system matters — so you begin with realistic expectations and know you’re not navigating it alone.
How Antidepressants Work
Understanding the mechanism helps demystify the process:
Antidepressants typically act on neurotransmitter systems (serotonin, norepinephrine, sometimes dopamine) that regulate mood, energy, sleep and appetite. (Harvard Health)
The effect is gradual: whereas symptoms might feel severe now, medication works behind the scenes to change brain-chemistry and promote neural adaptation. You often won’t “flip a switch”. (Perelman School of Medicine)
Because individual biology (weight, metabolism, genetics, co-existing conditions) varies, different people respond differently — one medication may work well for someone, and not for another.
What to Expect in the First Weeks
Here is a realistic timeline and what you might experience:
Weeks 0-2
You may begin to notice changes in sleep, appetite, or restlessness/irritability.
Some side-effects may appear early: nausea, headache, dry mouth, initial anxiety or agitation.
It’s normal to not feel significantly better yet — your brain needs time. (AXA Health)
Weeks 3-6
You may start to see mood lift slightly: more interest in activities, slightly improved concentration, reduced hopelessness.
Side-effects often diminish as your body adjusts.
You and your provider will monitor progress: Are symptoms improving? Are side-effects tolerable? Is there reason to adjust dose or switch medication?
6–12 weeks and beyond
For many antidepressants, the full therapeutic effect may take up to 6–8 weeks (or even longer) to manifest.
At this point treatment planning becomes clearer: how long to stay on treatment, what goals you have, how to taper or maintain. (Camden & Islington Talking Therapies)
Side-Effects, Risks & What to Watch For
Being informed helps you stay safe and proactive.
Common side-effects
Nausea, gastrointestinal upset, dry mouth.
Sleep disruption (insomnia or drowsiness), weight/appetite changes.
Sexual dysfunction (reduced libido, difficulty achieving orgasm) — often overlooked.
Important risks
A paradoxical worsening: some people experience increased anxiety or agitation when starting. Close monitoring is essential. (AXA Health)
Risk of suicidal thoughts/behaviour early in treatment, especially in younger people. (NCDHD)
Withdrawal/discontinuation symptoms if medication is stopped abruptly. (HSE.ie)
What to do
Keep a side-effect diary: note when you take your dose, how you feel, any new symptoms.
Communicate openly with your provider: “Here’s what I’m feeling”, “Here’s what’s changed”, “Here’s what’s still difficult”.
Never stop or adjust dose without guidance.
Maximising Benefit — Your Role & Our Role
Medication is a tool — but success depends on how it’s used.
Your role
Always take the medication as prescribed, at the same time each day. (Greencroft South Medical Group)
Engage in therapy/counselling concurrently (medication + talk therapy = better outcomes). (Harvard Health)
Support lifestyle factors: sleep hygiene, physical activity, balanced diet, social connection. These enhance the benefit.
Be patient and realistic: improvement is gradual — celebrating small gains is important.
Our role at Favor Mental Health
We conduct a comprehensive evaluation: current symptoms, history, previous medications, co-existing conditions, lifestyle factors.
We collaborate to select the best medication for your profile, starting at the lowest effective dose and planning a review schedule.
We monitor side-effects, progress and functional change together — with scheduled check-ins and adjustment if needed.
We frame this as your ongoing treatment roadmap, not a “take a pill and done” approach. We revisit: How are you doing? What’s next?
When and Why to Book an Appointment with Us
You should consider contacting us (if you haven’t already) when:
You and/or your clinician have decided that antidepressant medication is a recommended option.
You want to ensure you start with the right medication and the right monitoring plan — especially if you’ve had past medication trials, physical health conditions, or complex symptoms.
You might be worried about side-effects, uncertain about the timeline, or want a structured follow-up rather than leaving things to chance.
You want clarity, confidence and co-ordination — in Bel Air, MD where mental-health care may not always provide the same level of follow-through, we stand out by offering culturally-sensitive, context-aware support.
Schedule your paid appointment with Favor Mental Health today. We’ll start you on a medication management pathway that is collaborative, transparent, and tailored to you. With the right support, antidepressants can help open the door to improved mood, better functioning and renewed purpose.
Closing
Starting antidepressants is a hopeful step — but only if it’s taken with preparation, partnership and realistic expectations. You deserve to know what to expect, to have a plan in place for side-effects and progress, and to feel supported every step of the way.
At Favor Mental Health we believe that you are more than your diagnosis — you are a person with history, context and purpose. Let’s embark on your path to stability, clarity and renewed meaning together.
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