What happens if you take antidepressants for years?

Specifically, weight gain seems to be a common long-term risk, especially the medications that affect serotonin levels. This could be due to the fact that serotonin is associated with an increase in appetite. There is also a risk of higher blood sugar levels and diabetes with taking antidepressants long-term.


Is it okay to be on antidepressants for years?

Many people with depression continue taking antidepressant drugs for months or even years after their symptoms have resolved. This so-called maintenance therapy aims to reduce the risk of relapse.

Can you stay on antidepressants for life?

For people with chronic or severe depression, medication may be needed on a long-term basis. In these cases, antidepressants are often taken indefinitely. That is, in part, because depression is not an illness that can be cured.


How long is too long for antidepressants?

Clinicians generally recommend staying on the medication for six to nine months before considering going off antidepressants. If you've had three or more recurrences of depression, make that at least two years.

What are the side effects of taking antidepressants long-term?

During long-term SSRI therapy, the most troubling adverse effects are sexual dysfunction, weight gain, and sleep disturbance.


The 'extreme' side-effects of antidepressants - BBC News



How long does the average person stay on antidepressants?

The length of treatment varies.

Even once you do start to feel better, you should expect to remain on your antidepressant for at least 4 to 6 additional months. Those experiencing depression for the first time may require even longer, from 6 to 12 months.

Does your brain go back to normal after antidepressants?

If the symptoms develop later or gradually, they may constitute a relapse of the depression. Ultimately, these withdrawal symptoms will improve with time, but they can be unpleasant for days and possibly even weeks. In time, the brain readjusts and people should experience a return to their normal state.

Can antidepressants stop working after 20 years?

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.


Why is coming off antidepressants so hard?

“There are a lot of biochemical mechanisms in the body to keep our neurotransmitters stable,” he says. “Taking an SSRI perturbs that system.” Withdrawal symptoms might actually be the result of the body struggling to recover its natural serotonin balance, he adds, “desperately trying to get things back to normal.”

Do antidepressants leave you emotionless?

Nearly half of patients on all types of monoaminergic antidepressants report emotional blunting,6 and it is associated with serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy as follows: among 161 patients, 46% reported a narrowed range of affect, 21% reported an inability to cry, and 19% reported apathy.

How do you know if your not on antidepressants anymore?

Your doctor might recommend stopping your antidepressant if: You're feeling better, and you and the doctor agree that it's time to stop. You have been taking the medicine for at least 6 months.


Why do I feel worse after stopping antidepressants?

Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, also called antidepressant withdrawal, occurs when a person abruptly stops taking antidepressant medication. Many people who experience antidepressant withdrawal feel like they have the flu or a stomach bug. They may also experience disturbing thoughts or images.

How can I increase serotonin naturally?

Read on to learn about different ways to increase serotonin naturally.
  1. Adjust your diet. ...
  2. Get more exercise. ...
  3. Bring in the bright light. ...
  4. Take certain supplements. ...
  5. Try massage therapy. ...
  6. Try mood induction. ...
  7. Manage emotions and stress levels. ...
  8. Think about sleep deprivation.


Do antidepressants mess up your brain chemistry?

Do Antidepressants Permanently Alter Brain Chemistry? Antidepressants are designed to alter brain chemistry to alleviate symptoms—thus, they do so while you are taking them. They may promote potentially beneficial structural brain changes, as well.


Does depression permanently change the brain?

Ongoing depression likely causes long-term changes to the brain, especially in the hippocampus. That might be why depression is so hard to treat in some people. But researchers also found less gray matter volume in people who were diagnosed with lifelong major depressive disorder but hadn't had depression in years.

Are antidepressants OK long-term?

Antidepressants, specifically SSRIs which are considered the most tolerable and are therefore the most prescribed, are generally safe to take long-term.

What do antidepressants do to a normal person?

Antidepressants reduce symptoms of depression by balancing chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters, which affect mood and emotions, particularly dopamine and serotonin. These depression medications can improve your mood, concentration, sleep, and increase your appetite.


What are the signs of low serotonin levels?

What problems are associated with low serotonin levels?
  • Depression and other mood problems.
  • Anxiety.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Digestive problems.
  • Suicidal behavior.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Panic disorders.


What food is highest in serotonin?

Serotonin does not occur in the foods we eat, however it is synthesized from tryptophan, an amino acid. Tryptophan is mostly found in high protein foods, like meat, fish and poultry.

What Vitamin increases serotonin levels?

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, has special importance as a precursor of serotonin and tryptophan and can also play a role in behavior and mood.


Do antidepressants leave permanent damage?

It is well known that harms caused by SSRIs can be long-lasting [18] and there are indications that they can even be permanent, e.g. for sexual disturbances [39, 40]. Withdrawal symptoms are also drug harms, and they can also persist for a long time [18].

How long does it take to normalize after stopping antidepressants?

Across psychotropics, physiological dependence is developed in 1–8 weeks; following discontinuation, immediate or acute withdrawal similarly lasts 1–8 weeks. Physiological dependence on SSRIs has been found to occur in about 4 weeks,65,66 risk of antidepressant withdrawal syndrome increasing after the same period.

How can I get off antidepressants naturally?

Someone coming off antidepressants after 10 years, or a higher dose, might have to gradually reduce their dose for several months. A tapering schedule can involve cutting your current dose by 10% and up to 50% each week — depending on the half-life of the medication — and see how you feel for the next 2 to 4 weeks.


How to live without antidepressants?

Several treatments can be used instead of antidepressants for treating depression and other mental health conditions.
  1. Talking therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy. ...
  2. Exercise. ...
  3. Self-help groups. ...
  4. Lithium. ...
  5. Electric shock treatment.


Do you feel better after stopping antidepressants?

Although you might expect to feel better after stopping an antidepressant (especially if it was causing unwanted side effects), many people have withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can even be similar to what you experienced before you started the medication. Common antidepressant withdrawal symptoms include: dizziness.