Are you getting better?
While antidepressants don't start working until you've been taking them for at least two weeks, you may improve rapidly after that.
The first two weeks can be extremely difficult to get through. You may begin to wonder whether the doctor was right about the effects of the medication. Anyone given antidepressants has to be patient. It can be a trying time and you'll need as much support and encouragement as possible.
Improving?
Things gradually improve, as you get better:
- Sleep occurs naturally
- Your appetite returns
- Food begins to taste good, like it did before you were ill
- You begin to show an interest in what's going on around you
- Colours regain their sharpness
- Smells return to normal
- You want to start doing things again, though it's important that you don't overdo it
Once you've overcome the worst symptoms of depression, you may expect everything else to be completely straightforward. This is not always the case.
Does your condition fluctuate?
You may get frustrated because your condition continues to fluctuate, and may still have periods where:
- You are overwhelmed by sadness
- Tears come easily
- You're constantly tired, etc.
Fluctuations are natural. You are extremely frail after the worst symptoms of depression have subsided. Furthermore, it's very common for sufferers to experience brief periods of slight deterioration.
This does not mean that you are in the grip of depression again, or that the treatment isn't working.
Are you worried?
It is very important that you discuss any worries you may have with your doctor or psychologist. If you've been admitted to the hospital, talk to the person on the ward who's responsible for you.
People with depression tend to find it hard to see the big picture. This is also the case during this phase when things are getting better.
You may focus on the periods when things are bad. When discussing this with your doctor, you will quickly realize that these periods are, fortunately, very brief. Most of the time you feel better.
Ready to go home?
When you really start to get better, you begin to spend more time at home during the day. After a while you will start to spend the night at home. If you've been in the hospital for a long time, it is important that you try to sleep at home for a few nights before being discharged.
The environment in psychiatric wards is often very secure - for example, there's always someone to talk things over with. It’s important to be in a secure environment when things get tough - you feel protected. It is therefore important that you also spend some time in your normal environment before being discharged.