Why do antidepressants take so long to work?

For someone struggling with depression, being told that an antidepressant will take weeks or months to work can be frustrating. Yet this delay is also the key to these medications' ability to help. Find out why in this video.

Papers that inspired this talk:

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Clouds Timelapse by Vincent Wolf
Corporate Building and Clouds Time Lapse by Beachfront
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Medical Pills on White Surface by Videvo
Young Couple Sat in front of Detroit Cityscape by Videvo
Clock Face Timelapse by Videvo
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Black Cloud by Eugedius
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Patient At A Reception At The Woman Doctor by mr_NightMan
Taking Pills by Pressmaster
Man Talking With His Therapist At Therapy Session by kopitin
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Unclear copyright status, but believed to be in the public domain:
The Human Brain by Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation

[luxinfinite]

Antidepressants changed my life. I inherited depression from my father’s side and I always lived with functional depression, and I thought that was normal. Until recently that I started taking medication for it, I feel my whole thought process changed, and I do think I have more clarity and can make better decisions and be in peace with my emotions

[thesummerland]

one of the worst illnesses to have, invisible and impacts everything

[provost]

Learning to process being happy takes time when you've spent a lifetime being unhappy.

[choops]

actually. i felt a difference after the first night taking setraline 50mg. been 2 weeks now and the negative thoughts are gone. ive been suffering with depression and suicidal thoughts for the last 10+ years. i finally have a calm mind to live my life. please if anybody reads this, please never give up. get help and do whatever it takes to get better. it is possible. no matter how long you've been suffering, it can be helped. best of luck to all of you :)

[infoharvester]

I knew I felt different minutes after taking ssri. I thought that was just the placebo effect - me just hopeful after taking it.
Thanks for this video

[supDeny]

When he said “within years” I immediately thought of myself. It took me 2 and a half years to get better . I was on 250mg of Zoloft(highest dose) and Wellbutrin 150 mg . It took me very long to be happy with myself. I am never getting off this medication ever again!!!

[ShermanT.Potter]

I take an ssri. After a few weeks, it lessened the number of panic attacks I had, the severity of my OCD, and probably lessened the amount of crying. I remember when I would go cold turkey off of it, I would curl up in a ball and ball my eyes out. I'm still very depressed and mostly focus on the negative. But I hardly ever cry now and I'm emotionless to alot of stimuli, things that should effect me don't, or I think about them with a sense of futility. Except anger, that seems to have increased after being on it for a decade. So maybe it turns you into a psycho long term, lol.

[hedgehodg]

I'm overjoyed to see that you're still making videos. I found your Psychopharmacology series to be concise and fascinating. The mnemonics that you included make the content impossible to forget. Your latest material has been thought provoking and most informative. Please keep it up.

[FBI-tzvq]

Now this is something that gives me an explanation. This is what makes me understand. I've always wondered and I went to many explanations and I've never really gotten the explanation in the form that I wanted. Just really long words, but this video and the way you put it together with the images and music made me process it. Thank you, you're doing a really good job.

[LeChimp-jgfh]

Probably one of the best videos I've ever watched on yt.

[otkon]

I'm at week 4 of SSRI and still feeling anxious. I'm taking it for Generalized anxiety disorder and OCD.

[dmtdreamz]

Alienation is the feeling of being isolated or separated from something, often a group or society. It can also refer to the sense of being disconnected from one's own feelings, thoughts, or identity. Alienation can be caused by a variety of factors, including social isolation, discrimination, and the experience of living in a society that is different from one's own values and beliefs. In some cases, alienation can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and resentment. However, it can also be a source of creativity and individuality, as individuals may seek to find their own voice and place in the world.

[EliasEH]

The most painful illness ever.
I have OCD + MDD
I knew i had OCD form age 7, I remember when i walked alone at school and extremely bad ideas and something talk in my mind without begin able to stop it.

[TheLonelyMoon]

I tried SSRI and SNRI, serotonin based typical antidepressants, for about two years, switched to different drugs within these classes too. NDRI so far has been the most effective. Bupropion and Ritalin, treats my ADHD too
I don't feel depressed like before, but I still face extreme anxiety, dissociation (DPDR), generalized, and I experience trauma flash back sometimes
I'm not overly sad, nor do I really experience joy, maybe happiness just isn't for me. It's stable, so maybe it's better this way

[KillBill]

I felt a benefit when I first started taking SSRI - after 1.5 days and lasted for about 4-5 months....then it all kind of tapered off. I’ve been on them for probably 9 years and couldn’t reallly tell you what benefit I get today. Miss that early feeling - serotonin was on overload for sure.

[brandonevershed]

Good video. Been on anti-depressants, on and off, since 1992. This is very well said.

[rafaelmch]

Ive been on Pristiq for GAD (general anxiety disorder) for over 6 years now... it took me around 20 days to start feeling better! OH MY GOD.. was it life changing?!

[shyaaammeneen]

Very useful video. The goal should be to take only one ADS of the lowest mg. In life there are only 2 problems--mind and the body. To feel better reduce negative thoughts [overthinking]. Your breathing is closely related to the brain [mind] and gives good relief from stress-anxiety. To relax sit on a chair or lie down, neck straight, eyes closed and observe the sensations of your incoming--outgoing breath at the entrance of the nostrils for 5-10-15 minutes or more. Don’t fight your thoughts. With daily practice the mind will relax. No deep breathing needed. Do the practice without any expectations when taking a walk, before sleep, in school, at work, when reading, etc. Like me, make this a lifetime daily habit to have a better life. Reduce negative social media, take morning sunlight walks and avoid constipation as it affects the mind instantly. Best wishes--Counsellor.

[yapikop]

Currently on anti depressants, hoping for the best 😇

[Vicorcivius]

The reason Anti Depressants take so long is because the entire effect that causes the anti depressing is based on the brain building a tolerance to the anti depressant (At least with SSRI's) this takes at least a month in most people. Usually the actual first effect of anti depressant SSRI (on the first day of taking them) is more depression, oddly.
They drug manufacturers of SSRIs dont truly understand how they work. They just have a vague idea. Which is insane when you really think about it.