Finding the right medication is important for any kind of medical condition, and can be extremely significant for issues with mental health. For example, if you have depression and have been taking medication for it, you may wonder if it’s working as well as it should be. Some people on medication are still very depressed, while others seem to be better almost immediately. A lot of others fall somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. With the right medication, you can feel better for the long term.
Medications for depression can really vary
If you have the right depression medication for your needs, you can accomplish more in life. But finding what works for your specific situation isn’t always easy. That’s why people sometimes have to try different medications, until they find the one that works best for them. Medications can also stop working as effectively over time, too, and that may mean that you’ll need to make a change and try a different medication if you’ve been on the same depression medication that you started with for a number of years.
Consider how you feel on most days
For a depression medication that really works well, you’ll want to think about how you’re feeling most days. If you have a lot of good days and only a few bad ones, the medication you’re using is probably pretty effective. But if you’re struggling with a lot of bad days, or you’re finding that your bad days are becoming more frequent than they used to be, you might not be getting the kind of treatment that really works for you. It might be the wrong medication, or it may have stopped working as well as it should.
Understanding how you’re feeling, and how your medication for depression really affects you, are both very important parts of remaining healthy. Otherwise, you could end up ignoring red flags for your mental health that you really don’t want to overlook. It can be hard to be sure how you’re feeling, especially if there are problems that develop slowly over time, but it’s still important to make sure that you’re regularly checking in with yourself, so you can handle problems before they become more serious.
Think about how long you’ve been taking your medication
If you’ve been taking your prescription depression medication for a long time, you may find that it’s not working the same way for you as it did in the past. That could mean the dosage needs to be changed, or that another medication would be a better option, instead. Talking with your healthcare professional can help you decide which would be best, so you can try something that’s going to start working for you again. Medications don’t always stop working overtime, but it’s something to consider if you haven’t been feeling well lately.
Ask your doctor for their opinion
It’s always best to consult a medical professional when it comes to your mental health. It’s just as important as your physical health, and you want to make sure you’re taking good care of it. When you have a doctor you can work with, it’s much easier to find what helps you the most. It’s also good to have an advocate to turn to, if you want to talk about your medications and the way you’re feeling. That can help you get a better understanding of whether you’re on a medication that’s truly working well for your needs.
A newer medication may be more effective
Another big consideration when it comes to whether your depression medication is working well for you is whether it’s a medication that’s older. There are newer options today, and they may be better suited for the help you actually need. Trying something different with the advice and help of your doctor may be a good way to make sure you’re using the depression medication that’s right for you today, as opposed to what may have been best for your needs in the past. That can all change over time, and a good medical professional will be aware of that, so they can give you the best possible help.
Some people need more than one medication
Also keep in mind that it may be that you need more than one type of depression medication to really feel your best. If you’re not sure about that, talking to your doctor can be a way to figure out what’s right for your current needs. Some people need a medication added to what they’re already taking, and that can give them an additional boost that can have them feel much better. Your situation may be different from that, but it’s worth considering whether you should talk to your doctor about an added medication to help with your depression symptoms.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She has a particular interest in mental health and well-being.
