Educational reference
Treatment overview
Antidepressants are a group of medicines used in the treatment of depressive conditions and, for several of them, anxiety and trauma-related conditions. They are prescribed and monitored by a qualified clinician.
They are not sedatives or stimulants, and they do not work immediately. Any benefit typically develops over several weeks, and the first medicine tried is not always the one a person continues with. Reviews during that period are part of normal care rather than a sign something has gone wrong.
As with any medicine, there can be side effects, which differ between medicines and between people, and are a legitimate thing to raise with a prescriber. Stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation effects, so changes are normally made gradually and with advice.
In bipolar conditions, antidepressants are used selectively and with particular care, because in some people they can affect mood stability.
MOMD does not recommend any particular medicine and does not advise starting, stopping or changing treatment. Those decisions belong with the person and their prescriber.