Can you have a depressive episode while on antidepressants?

Depression relapses can happen at any time, even if you’re already receiving treatment or are on medication for depression. It’s like any other condition — if you have it once, you may be predisposed to it and are more likely to experience it again.

Can an antidepressant that stopped working work again?

If you’ve developed a separate health problem, visit your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and plan of treatment. Once you begin treatment for the other health condition, your antidepressant may become helpful again.

Do antidepressants lose effectiveness over time?

Answer From Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. When depression symptoms improve after starting an antidepressant, many people need to continue taking medication long term to prevent symptoms from returning. However, in some people, a particular antidepressant may simply stop working over time.

Can antidepressants lose their effectiveness?

If you feel like your antidepressant has stopped working, you’re not alone. It’s common for a medication that once worked wonders to become ineffective, especially if you’ve been taking it for a long time. Symptoms return for up to 33% of people using antidepressants — it’s called breakthrough depression.

What is considered major depression?

The classic depression type, major depression is a state where a dark mood is all-consuming and one loses interest in activities, even ones that are usually pleasurable. Symptoms of this type of depression include trouble sleeping, changes in appetite or weight, loss of energy, and feeling worthless.

Should I start taking my antidepressants again?

If this is the second time you’ve been depressed, you might keep taking the medicine for at least a year. Depression that comes back a third time may require you to continue taking an antidepressant for a longer time. You can get unwanted side effects if you stop taking your antidepressant suddenly.