HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

SSRI's - How Long Will it Take

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/9/2015 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

Do you happen to know how long it takes before an SSRI can start to really work? I'm on day 10 and not feeling any different. The pharmacist mentioned 4-6 weeks, a friend told me 2-3 weeks..... is there any truth behind this? Can it really take up to 4 weeks before an SSRI can help?
Posted 3/9/2015 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, you should start feeling something in about 4 weeks, BUT it takes a good 6 to 8 weeks to really notice the difference and know if it's working or not.
Posted 3/9/2015 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Man, I'm being very impatient...wish it didn't take so long. I can't wait to feel better.
Posted 3/9/2015 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
Ya, I'm impatient too and I know what you mean. It's like I want to take a pill, go to bed and wake up all better. Sadly it doesn't work that way.
Posted 3/9/2015 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there, I understand how you feel. Unfortunately meds take a bit of time to work. It also depends on your dose. It's impossible to know if your dose us sufficient enough to help with the anxiety, or if you need an increase.
It's usually better to go slow and try to be patient. I know how hard that is.
There are too many people who state that antidepressants work between 4 and 6 weeks, but the truth is, that everyone responds differently and some may notice sooner, and some later.
It's important not to wait for it, and try to help yourself along the way. Cbt is a great tool, as well as breathing exercises.
You will be better in time. This is for sure!
Stay positive! ! Lisa
Posted 3/9/2015 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am echoing CM's input abouth the use of coping skills...

...they really can help get you through this time while your body and mind adjust, the med builds, levels out and becomes theraputic.

We have lots of great ideas in our Resources...check them out and see if there are any new ones that you could try.

Wishing you the best...keep posting and we will keep you in support!

S.C.
Posted 3/9/2015 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! This is the thing, I was on Paxil years ago (age 18) and I feel like it kicked in right away. I discontinued at age 24. My anxiety spiraled out of control since then and decided Paxil was the best thing for me. I'm 33 about to be 34 and it's not kicking in as fast as I remember it did the first time.
Posted 3/9/2015 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes it can take some time for an antidepressant to kick in sometimes as long as 8 weeks so stick with it and I am sure you will start to feel the benefits soon.

Hope you feel a bit better soon.

Hibee
Posted 3/9/2015 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I don't deal with ongoing anxiety, but went thru 10 long years of miserable depression from 1991 to 2002, on cocktails of A/D's that did NADDA, I was trying to get my thyroid supported all those years and when I finally did, the years of depression lifted in about 4 days...it was THYROID all those years and I had the wrong doctor and knew nothing about all this thyroid and what it affects in our bodies...I dove into books and support groups on the thyroid....

I posted somewhere here about anxiety and thyroid....Jam
Posted 3/10/2015 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys, I am also a sufferer of GAD and Depression. I was taking Cipralex 10mg for 3 years, since 2011 and it worked, then decided to wean off it, and two months later I fell into a depression- I've been like this since January. I had an increase to 15mg about 3 weeks ago, and the last two weeks were amazing, the depression was lifting and I did not feel anymore anxiety (I am also taking xanax .25, 3 times a day) But since Sunday I feel like I am going downhill again :( I don't know what's happening and I am sooo scared! Now im on my 10th week on Cipralex and I don't remember the 1st time it took me this long to get better. Can anyone relate or give me some advice please?
Posted 3/10/2015 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hey BTurc, sorry for late reply!
As far as I know SSRIs won't show any benefit before a month or so. 10 days is a bit too early to decide in my opinion. At least if you can wait 20-25 days more, then I am sure you will feel a lot better.

It was like that when I started meds, anyways. I am pretty sure around a month or so, you will start feeling better.
Posted 3/10/2015 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
BTurc and Savruby,

Our unique brain chemistries are so unique and vary not only from person to person...

...but also within our own system, depending on the stage of our lives. There are so many factors that must be considered!

(not even the specialists who have devoted their lives to studying it completely comprehend the complexities of the brain!)

I have heard numerous times of the same medication reacting in differing ways at different times of a person taking it.

Some start ups are just for whatever reason a little delayed compared to others...

Remembering too that medication alone is not going to yield the same benefit as using therapy and self-help techniques with your Rx...

...so if this is an option you've not yet explored, I encourage you to do so!

Wishing you the best, and encouraging you to keep us posted so we can keep you in support.:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 3/11/2015 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Scaredy Cat-

Thank you for your reply. Do you think it's normal to have increase in depression and anxiety during the increase of an SSRI? I am really hoping that this time with 20mg, it will finally work! Today is my 2nd day so far and I woke up feeling nauseous and very anxious, but feeling better now that I am at work. And how long do you think I should wait, once the increase of an SSRI ? I really don't want to change the meds! and begin all over again :(

I am trying to do Yoga, but tbh I don't feel like that would help a lot, meds saved my life once, I really want them to work again
Hope you have a nice day
Melissa
Posted 3/11/2015 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, an increase can absolutely cause start up like effects again.

Generally speaking, it is reported that the duration of increase s/e's are less than that of the original start...

So I would think you would know in a week, maybe two how you are going to respond.

Keeping in close communtication with your prescribing doctor as well will give you a good idea of whether it is advised to continue, or seek another med option.

Here is the link to your Resources, filled with great self-help skills that really do work if practiced regularly. These, along with yoga/exercise make a difference. Lowering your overall stress levels should help this whole process, and see you feeling your best.:)

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206



S.C.

Posted 3/11/2015 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor told me 2-3 weeks for Zoloft to work. I am on day 6 and I have noticed I wake up less anxious, but that could be a mind thing (so frustrating!!). When I took Celexa I felt it in a day or so, but it also mad me feel like a zombie. I hope it starts working for you soon!
Posted 3/11/2015 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Scaredy Cat..

I will keep updating my symptoms and emotions throughout. Hopefully I'll be better within two weeks and I can be of support to others as well.

Thank you for the link, I will take a look at it today :) Thank you so much Scaredy Cat, sometimes I feel like I am alone with all these emotions that I feel everyday and since it's been two months already, it's becoming a sort of routine to always check how I am feeling. 2 months with continued depression, non stop, is too much to handle sometimes. So thank you for all the support. You guys have become the light at the end of the tunnel.

xxxx
Melissa
Posted 3/11/2015 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Not alone...as long as you want to reach out here...:)

Best wishes again on your start ups guys!!

We are cheering you on...and yes, keep us updated.

(Hi Hanban, good to see you posting! I responded to your thread of introduction, so be sure to see that if you've not already!)

Talk to you soon!

S.C.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply