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Within 6 to 8 weeks of treatment, your symptoms of depression may start to improve. Some changes you may notice include:

• your energy is improved
• you’re sleeping more soundly
• you feel less irritable
• you’re participating in some of your favorite activities again

It’s important to talk with your doctor about your progress. This helps him or her to evaluate your response to treatment.

Here are some questions you may ask yourself and may find helpful in discussing with your doctor:

• What should I do if I don’t feel like I’m making progress?
• What is the basic progression of treatment?
• What else can I do to help manage depression?
• Should I stop taking my medication?

What should I do if I don’t feel like I’m making progress?

Everyone responds differently to treatments for depression. Even after several weeks, you may still have symptoms, such as irritability, low energy, or an inability to concentrate. Remember to talk with your doctor about how you’re feeling.

You should also speak with your doctor if you’re experiencing any side effects. Be sure to write down any side effects or lingering depression symptoms that you want to talk about during your next visit with your doctor. You can also review your symptoms with the Depression Symptoms Checklist and use that to start the discussion.

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What is the basic progression of treatment?

Experts on depression divide treatment into three phases:

Phase 1: During the first 2 months of therapy, the goal is to achieve remission, relief from symptoms.

Phase 2: During months 3 through 6, the goal is to maintain remission and prevent a return of symptoms, also known as relapse.

Phase 3: After 6 months, your doctor may decide to continue your treatment to prevent a new episode of depression.

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What else can I do to help manage depression?

If you’re taking medication, you and your doctor may find it helpful to add talk therapy to your treatment plan. Your doctor may be able to provide additional guidance to help you successfully manage depression. Talk with your doctor about support groups, where you can learn from the positive experience of people who have already "been there."

You can also find additional information about support groups and other resources on this website.

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Should I stop taking my medication?

The amount of time you should continue to take a prescription antidepressant medication depends on many factors, including your response to the medication and your past history of depression. Your doctor will recommend the best course of treatment for your particular needs. Always take your medication as prescribed by your physician.

An important point to keep in mind is that you should never stop taking your medication without first discussing it with your doctor. Symptoms, some serious, can occur when people stop using antidepressants—especially when they stop therapy abruptly. For some medications, your doctor may want to slowly decrease your dose to help avoid these symptoms, often referred to as discontinuation symptoms.

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