Antidepressants are prescribed in most cases of clinical depression and are essential for the treatment of severe cases of depression. If you take an antidepressant medication, you may start to see some minor improvement in one to two weeks but you probably will not feel the full effects of the drug for four to six weeks.

Patients often wish for medication with absolutely no side effects. No such drugs exist for the treatment of any medical condition and definitely not for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Antidepressants don't work for everyone. For some people with mild depression, antidepressants seem to have little effect. However, for people with more severe depression, antidepressants often make a big difference.

Although antidepressants generally aren't as effective for mild depression, that doesn't mean that they never help. Depression affects each person differently, and each person responds to medications differently. Finding the right medication may take some trial and error.

If an antidepressant seems to ease your symptoms, it may be a good treatment choice for you. If you're taking an antidepressant, don't stop taking it without talking to your doctor.

For many people with mild depression, talk therapy (also called psychotherapy or psychological counseling) appears to be an effective treatment. Some people benefit from a combination of talk therapy and medications. Lifestyle changes — such as stress reduction and regular exercise — also can make a difference.

If you have signs and symptoms of depression, don't ignore them. Even mild depression can take a toll on your enjoyment of life, your performance at work or school, and your relationships with other people. And, left untreated, depression can get worse. Explore your treatment options with your doctor or mental health provider to figure out what's likely to work best to help you feel better again.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.