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| Meta Title | Your 12 Biggest Antidepressant Problems, Solved | Everyday Health |
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| Boilerpipe Text | 1. âUgh â Suddenly My Head Hurtsâ
During the first few days of your new prescription, you might find that you have a
headache
. All antidepressants have the potential to produce this side effect for a few days, says
Boadie Dunlop, MD
, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the mood and anxiety disorders program at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
He suggests taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help, adding that this symptom usually gets better within the first week or two.
2. âMy Stomach Is Upset, and I Have Diarrheaâ
People taking selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
antidepressants â such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and
sertraline (Zoloft)
â might find that they have
nausea
,
diarrhea
, or constipation. You can manage nausea by taking the medications with food, Dr. Dunlop says.
Make sure youâre eating enough fiber and drinking enough fluids; you also might consider taking an over-the-counter
medication for diarrhea
or constipation. Like headaches, these symptoms typically go away early in your treatment.
3. âI Have the Shakesâ
A small number of people find that their medication causes shakiness or tremors. âThese can persist and can prevent people from continuing with their medication,â Dunlop says. If you develop this symptom, contact your doctor to discuss changing
your dose, or the drug itself.
4. â
I Have a Dry Mouth and Really Bad Breathâ
Dry mouth is a common side effect of antidepressants. For most people, dry mouth will improve within a few weeks of taking antidepressants or even earlier, says Karen Lim, MD, a double board-certified
psychiatrist
in general and child and adolescent psychiatry with Prairie Health, a telepsychiatry company based in California.
In the meantime, Dr. Lim suggests sipping on water routinely, sucking on ice chips and sugarless candies, popping mints, and chewing sugarless gum.
âIf dry mouth persists beyond your first few weeks on an antidepressant, or if it is particularly severe, I would speak to your doctor as soon as possible,â recommends Lim, adding that your dentist may also be able to help.
5
. âIâm Still Sadâ
Of all antidepressant problems, this may be the thorniest to untangle. If youâre continuing to experience
depression symptoms
despite taking an antidepressant, there
are a number of possible explanations to consider:
You got the wrong diagnosis.
âWhen someone has depression that doesnât respond to treatment, the first thing you do is step back and make sure you have the right diagnosis,â Dr. Combs says. Your psychiatrist might
do more tests to make sure some important clues werenât missed the first time around. Medical conditions, including
stroke
,
heart disease
,
hypothyroidism
, and certain nutritional deficiencies, as well as some medications, can be the underlying cause of as many as 15 percent of all depression cases,
according to Harvard Health Publishing
.
Your medication hasn
â
t kicked in yet.
Sometimes it takes time for antidepressants to become effective. Check with your doctor to find out whether you need to wait a bit longer.
You
â
re drinkingÂ
alcohol or using drugs.
These substances can interfere with the effectiveness of your
depression treatment
,
so youâll need to quit if you want complete success.
You
â
re not in therapy.
Although medication can help, you might also need to talk with a therapist to help you figure out how to cope with issues in your life that are causing you to
feel sad or anxious
.
Some evidence suggests that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either method alone,
reports the American Psychological Association
.
You
â
re taking the wrong medication.
You might find relief by
switching antidepressants
or adding another medication, such as a thyroid drug or lithium. Talk about this with your doctor.
You need to try something new.
Ask your doctor whether you might benefit from other approaches â even unconventional ones. For example, dance movement therapy has been shown to help manage depression, according to
research
.
6. âIâm Not Sad, but Iâm Not Happy Eitherâ
Approximately 46 percent of people who take
antidepressant medication
experience emotional blunting â a feeling of being depleted of all emotions, including the good ones,
according to oneÂ
survey
.
You donât have to lose your ability to feel joy in order to manage depression: Emotional blunting is best addressed by switching to a different
class of antidepressants
, adding a second medication, or
talking with a therapist
,
Combs says.
7. âMy Antidepressant Is Making Me Gain Weightâ
Some
depression treatments
do put you at risk for weight gain, according to oneÂ
study
. After evaluating
nearly 137,000 men and nearly 158,000 women, researchers found that taking an antidepressant is associated with a 21 percent increased
risk of weight gain
exceeding 5 percent of oneâs body weight.
If you have a history of being overweight, youâre more likely to gain while on an antidepressant â so choose an antidepressant that is weight-neutral, Combs advises. If thatâs not an option, she emphasizes getting counseled in diet and
exercise. An added bonus? The
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes
 that exercise can be an important part of your
treatment.
8. âSex Tonight? No Way!â
Many people struggling with depression lose interest in sexual activity, but some antidepressants can lower their libido further or make it difficult to respond sexually. Doctors donât always warn their patients about this effect, Combs says, and
it can be very frustrating. Some people are willing to accept it as a temporary trade-off for successful
depression treatment
, but most want solutions.
Consider switching antidepressants, trying a different dosing schedule, scheduling sex around your dosing schedule, taking other medications to
improve sexual response
, or meeting
with a sex therapist,
notes Harvard Health Publishing
.
9
. âIâm Up All Nightâ
Insomnia
,
sleeping too much
, and other changes to your
sleep
cycle are all
signs of depression
, according to the
NIMH
. And when you canât get a good nightâs
sleep, it can make it even harder to treat your depression effectively.
âSome antidepressants are identified as activating, and some are sedating,â Combs explains. Finding the right match for you is key. A sedating antidepressant, for instance, might be a good bet for someone who is having problems falling asleep.
Itâs also important to look at other lifestyle choices that might be affecting your sleep, such as your sleep environment,
physical activity
(or lack of it),
caffeine
consumption late in the day, napping during the day, and alcohol use.
RELATED:
Do These 10 Natural Insomnia Aids Really Help You Get Better Sleep?
10. âI Want to Stop Taking My Meds, but Iâm Afraid My Depression Will Come Backâ
Once you start feeling better, youâll likely want to quit taking antidepressants. But Dunlop says that you need to be stable on antidepressants for at least six months first, to reduce the risk of experiencing another bout of depression in the future.
Although antidepressants are only temporary for most people, you should never stop taking them (or any prescription medication) without the guidance of a doctor. Usually, the best approach is to reduce your dose in increments. Stopping âcold turkeyâ
could result in unwanted side effects and risk a recurrence of depression, Dunlop notes.
11.
â
Now I Have Anxietyâ
Some antidepressants can have stimulating effects, resulting in restlessness,
anxiety
, and agitation, says
Indra Cidambi, MD
,
medical director and founder of
Center for Network Therapy
, a New Jerseyâbased outpatient addiction and mental health treatment facility.
âOne of the goals of antidepressants is, after all, to give you more energy to accomplish your daily tasks,â Dr. Cidambi explains. But sometimes people taking certain antidepressants just canât relax or even sit still when they want
to. If this is the case, it needs to be addressed, she says.
If you are experiencing increased restlessness or anxiety after starting an antidepressant, speak with your doctor. This could be a side effect called akathisia that needs to be addressed because feeling restless on top of sadness can lead to increased
risk of self-harm.
Depending on the cause and severity of the restlessness or anxiety, your doctor may have different suggestions. âWorking out,
yoga
, or
meditation
is usually enough to drain away the excess energy, but if that does not work, you could ask their doctor to prescribe nonaddictive
sedatives
or adjust the dosage of antidepressants,â
Cidambi says. Sometimes, this may mean a different form of treatment is needed.
If youâre having high energy levels accompanied by racing or impulsive thoughts, it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as
bipolar disorder
, cautions Cidambi. She recommends talking
to your doctor if you have these symptoms.
RELATED:
7 Causes of Anxiety
12. âI Want to Dieâ
With depression, thereâs always a risk of
suicidal thoughts
, but these can also be a side effect of antidepressants, though
a rare one.
Research
has found that antidepressants,
SSRIs
especially, generally help protect against and lower rates
of suicidal events in adults. For children and young people, the authors note that antidepressants are effective at reducing depression severity but have little to no effect on suicidal behavior. However, the authors attribute this more to factors
unrelated to medication, such as impulsive behavior, bullying, and illicit drug use.
Regardless of what might be prompting suicidal thoughts, call your doctor immediately if you start to experience worsening depression symptoms, including suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself or others, Dunlop advises. You can also get
help at any time by calling the
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
.
If youâre running into a problem with your antidepressants, thereâs likely a solution â so donât ignore it. Get to the bottom of it.
Additional reporting by
Michelle Pugle
.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial Policy
Meet Our Health Expert Network
Heidi Green, MD
Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
, Member of
American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Heidi Green, MD, is board certified in psychiatry, addiction medicine, and lifestyle medicine. She currently divides her time between maintaining a small private practice and working at specialized opioid treatment programs in North Carolina.
In her private practice, Dr. Green provides psychiatric consultative services and offers an office-based buprenorphine maintenance program to support recovery from opioid addictions. She enjoys offering lifestyle medicine consultation to those interested in maximizing their emotional and physical health by replacing unhealthy behaviors with positive ones, such as eating healthfully, being physically active, managing stress, avoiding risky substance use, improving sleep, and improving the quality of their relationships.
At the opioid treatment programs, Green serves as medical director, working with a team of counselors, nurses, and other medical providers. The programs provide evidence-based treatment (including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone) for persons suffering from opioid use disorders (such as addictions to heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain medications).
Previously, Green has worked in community health and mental health settings where she provided consultation to behavioral health teams, integrated care teams, substance abuse intensive outpatient programs, and a womenâs perinatal residential program. She also enjoyed supervising residents in her prior role as assistant consulting professor to the department of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine. During her training at the UNC department of psychiatry, she was honored to serve as chief resident, clinical instructor of psychiatry, and psychotherapy supervisor.
Green is passionate about the years we can add to our life and the life we can add to our years through lifestyle medicine! She focuses on maintaining her own healthy lifestyle through work-life balance, contemplative practices, and eating a plant-based diet. She finds joy through a continual growth mindset, shared quality time with her partner, and time spent outdoors backpacking and mountain biking.
See full bio
Madeline R. Vann, MPH, LPC
Author
Madeline Vann, MPH, LPC, is a freelance health and medical writer located in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been writing for over 15 years and can present complicated health topics at any reading level. Her writing has appeared in HealthDay, the
Huffington Post,
Costco Connection
, the
New Orleans Times-Picayune
, the
Huntsville Times
, and numerous academic publications.
She received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University, and has a master of public health degree from Tulane University. Her areas of interest include diet, fitness, chronic and infectious diseases, oral health, biotechnology, cancer, positive psychology, caregiving, end-of-life issues, and the intersection between environmental health and individual health.
Outside of writing, Vann is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in treating military and first responders coping with grief, loss, trauma, and addiction/recovery. She is a trauma specialist at the Farley Center, where she provides workshops on trauma, grief, and distress tolerance coping skills. She regularly practices yoga, loves to cook, and canât decide between a Mediterranean style diet and an Asian-fusion approach.
See full bio
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Depression
Get the facts about depression, including its symptoms, causes, and many treatment options. Learn what experts say about talk therapy, antidepressants, and lifestyle changes that can help improve mood.
[LEARN MORE](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/)
- [1What Is Depression (Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD)?](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/)
- [2Depression Symptoms and Diagnosis: It Can Look Different in Men and Women and in Teenagers, Too](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/symptoms/)
- [3Depression Treatment: The Options](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/treatment/)
- [4Depression Medication: Types, Side Effects, and More](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/medications/)
- [58 Different Types of Depression](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/different-types-of-depression.aspx)
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# Your 12 Biggest Antidepressant Problems, Solved
If depression meds are giving you headaches, the shakes, diarrhea, or dry mouth, here are some expert-backed solutions to try.
Scott Rothstein/Getty Images; Everyday Health
By
[Madeline R. Vann, MPH, LPC](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/madeline-r-vann/)
Updated on August 3, 2023
Medically Reviewed
by
[Heidi Green, MD](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/heidi-green/)
Is this your scenario? You started treating your [depression](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/) with antidepressants only to find that youâre still wrestling with a number of tricky-to-treat symptoms or experiencing annoying side effects. If so, youâre not alone.
Each personâs reaction to an antidepressant is unique â the side effects, strength, and efficacy of the same drug may be drastically different for you than for someone else. And given that the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db377.htm) estimates that between 2015 and 2018 approximately 13 percent of American adults ages 18 or older had taken an [antidepressant](https://www.everydayhealth.com/antidepressants/guide/) within the previous 30 days, itâs no wonder that there are lots of varying responses to those meds.
âSome people are exquisitely sensitive to [antidepressant side effects](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/drug-side-effects.aspx),â says [Heidi Combs, MD](https://www.uwmedicine.org/bios/heidi-combs#about-tab), an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington and the director of inpatient psychiatry at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Others can take just about any medication without running into problems.
The good news: If youâre experiencing problems, most of them can be easily managed or reversed. Here are the most common reactions and concerns you might run into while taking antidepressants â and how to resolve them.
**RELATED:** [**How to Cope With Anxiety and Depression**](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/anxiety-and-depression.aspx)
####
#### Next up video playing in 10 seconds
### How Do I Know if My Antidepressants Are Working?
Not sure if your antidepressant is helping? Here are some questions to ask yourself, according to psychiatrist Allison Young, MD.
## **1\. âUgh â Suddenly My Head Hurtsâ**
During the first few days of your new prescription, you might find that you have a [headache](https://www.everydayhealth.com/headache/guide/). All antidepressants have the potential to produce this side effect for a few days, says [Boadie Dunlop, MD](https://hip.emory.edu/faculty/bios/dunlop_boadie.html), associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the mood and anxiety disorders program at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
He suggests taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help, adding that this symptom usually gets better within the first week or two.
## **2\. âMy Stomach Is Upset, and I Have Diarrheaâ**
People taking selective [serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)](https://www.everydayhealth.com/ssri/guide/) antidepressants â such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and [sertraline (Zoloft)](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nutritional-supplements/herbs-to-stay-away-from-on-zoloft/) â might find that they have [nausea](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nausea/guide/), [diarrhea](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diarrhea/guide/), or constipation. You can manage nausea by taking the medications with food, Dr. Dunlop says.
Make sure youâre eating enough fiber and drinking enough fluids; you also might consider taking an over-the-counter [medication for diarrhea](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diarrhea/treatment-options/) or constipation. Like headaches, these symptoms typically go away early in your treatment.
## **3\. âI Have the Shakesâ**
A small number of people find that their medication causes shakiness or tremors. âThese can persist and can prevent people from continuing with their medication,â Dunlop says. If you develop this symptom, contact your doctor to discuss changing your dose, or the drug itself.
## **4\. â****I Have a Dry Mouth and Really Bad Breathâ**
Dry mouth is a common side effect of antidepressants. For most people, dry mouth will improve within a few weeks of taking antidepressants or even earlier, says Karen Lim, MD, a double board-certified [psychiatrist](https://www.everydayhealth.com/psychiatrist/guide/) in general and child and adolescent psychiatry with Prairie Health, a telepsychiatry company based in California.
In the meantime, Dr. Lim suggests sipping on water routinely, sucking on ice chips and sugarless candies, popping mints, and chewing sugarless gum.
âIf dry mouth persists beyond your first few weeks on an antidepressant, or if it is particularly severe, I would speak to your doctor as soon as possible,â recommends Lim, adding that your dentist may also be able to help.
## **5****. âIâm Still Sadâ**
Of all antidepressant problems, this may be the thorniest to untangle. If youâre continuing to experience [depression symptoms](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/#signs-and-symptoms) despite taking an antidepressant, there are a number of possible explanations to consider:
- **You got the wrong diagnosis.** âWhen someone has depression that doesnât respond to treatment, the first thing you do is step back and make sure you have the right diagnosis,â Dr. Combs says. Your psychiatrist might do more tests to make sure some important clues werenât missed the first time around. Medical conditions, including [stroke](https://www.everydayhealth.com/stroke/guide/), [heart disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-disease/guide/%0A), [hypothyroidism](https://www.everydayhealth.com/hypothyroidism/guide/), and certain nutritional deficiencies, as well as some medications, can be the underlying cause of as many as 15 percent of all depression cases, [according to Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/depression-and-illness-chicken-or-egg).
- **Your medication hasn****â****t kicked in yet.** Sometimes it takes time for antidepressants to become effective. Check with your doctor to find out whether you need to wait a bit longer.
- **You****â****re drinking** **alcohol or using drugs.** These substances can interfere with the effectiveness of your [depression treatment](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/treatment/), so youâll need to quit if you want complete success.
- **You****â****re not in therapy.** Although medication can help, you might also need to talk with a therapist to help you figure out how to cope with issues in your life that are causing you to [feel sad or anxious](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/anxiety-and-depression.aspx). Some evidence suggests that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either method alone, [reports the American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/medication-or-therapy).
- **You****â****re taking the wrong medication.** You might find relief by [switching antidepressants](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/depression/top-mistakes-people-make-with-antidepressant-medication/) or adding another medication, such as a thyroid drug or lithium. Talk about this with your doctor.
- **You need to try something new.** Ask your doctor whether you might benefit from other approaches â even unconventional ones. For example, dance movement therapy has been shown to help manage depression, according to [research](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00936/full).
## **6\. âIâm Not Sad, but Iâm Not Happy Eitherâ**
Approximately 46 percent of people who take [antidepressant medication](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/medications/) experience emotional blunting â a feeling of being depleted of all emotions, including the good ones, according to one [survey](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032717308303?via%253Dihub).
You donât have to lose your ability to feel joy in order to manage depression: Emotional blunting is best addressed by switching to a different [class of antidepressants](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/medications/), adding a second medication, or [talking with a therapist](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/what-psychologists-do-in-the-morning-to-set-themselves-up-for-a-good-day/), Combs says.
## **7\. âMy Antidepressant Is Making Me Gain Weightâ**
Some [depression treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/treatment/) do put you at risk for weight gain, according to one [study](https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1951). After evaluating nearly 137,000 men and nearly 158,000 women, researchers found that taking an antidepressant is associated with a 21 percent increased [risk of weight gain](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/antidepressants-and-weight-gain-why-it-happens-and-ways-to-cope/) exceeding 5 percent of oneâs body weight.
If you have a history of being overweight, youâre more likely to gain while on an antidepressant â so choose an antidepressant that is weight-neutral, Combs advises. If thatâs not an option, she emphasizes getting counseled in diet and exercise. An added bonus? The [National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml) that exercise can be an important part of your treatment.
## **8\. âSex Tonight? No Way!â**
Many people struggling with depression lose interest in sexual activity, but some antidepressants can lower their libido further or make it difficult to respond sexually. Doctors donât always warn their patients about this effect, Combs says, and it can be very frustrating. Some people are willing to accept it as a temporary trade-off for successful [depression treatment](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/treatment/), but most want solutions.
Consider switching antidepressants, trying a different dosing schedule, scheduling sex around your dosing schedule, taking other medications to [improve sexual response](https://www.everydayhealth.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/), or meeting with a sex therapist, [notes Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-an-ssri-medication-impacts-your-sex-life).
## **9****. âIâm Up All Nightâ**
[Insomnia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/insomnia/guide/), [sleeping too much](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/are-you-sleeping-too-much/), and other changes to your [sleep](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/sleep/sleep-101-ultimate-guide-on-how-get-better-nights-sleep/) cycle are all [signs of depression](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/symptoms/), according to the [NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression). And when you canât get a good nightâs sleep, it can make it even harder to treat your depression effectively.
âSome antidepressants are identified as activating, and some are sedating,â Combs explains. Finding the right match for you is key. A sedating antidepressant, for instance, might be a good bet for someone who is having problems falling asleep.
Itâs also important to look at other lifestyle choices that might be affecting your sleep, such as your sleep environment, [physical activity](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/great-exercises-to-fight-depression.aspx) (or lack of it), [caffeine](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/benefits-of-going-caffeine-free/) consumption late in the day, napping during the day, and alcohol use.
**RELATED:** [**Do These 10 Natural Insomnia Aids Really Help You Get Better Sleep?**](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-pictures/0708/8-cheap-and-natural-insomnia-remedies.aspx)
## **10\. âI Want to Stop Taking My Meds, but Iâm Afraid My Depression Will Come Backâ**
Once you start feeling better, youâll likely want to quit taking antidepressants. But Dunlop says that you need to be stable on antidepressants for at least six months first, to reduce the risk of experiencing another bout of depression in the future.
Although antidepressants are only temporary for most people, you should never stop taking them (or any prescription medication) without the guidance of a doctor. Usually, the best approach is to reduce your dose in increments. Stopping âcold turkeyâ could result in unwanted side effects and risk a recurrence of depression, Dunlop notes.
## **11\.** **â****Now I Have Anxietyâ**
Some antidepressants can have stimulating effects, resulting in restlessness, [anxiety](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/guide/), and agitation, says [Indra Cidambi, MD](https://recoverycnt.com/about/), medical director and founder of [Center for Network Therapy](https://recoverycnt.com/), a New Jerseyâbased outpatient addiction and mental health treatment facility.
âOne of the goals of antidepressants is, after all, to give you more energy to accomplish your daily tasks,â Dr. Cidambi explains. But sometimes people taking certain antidepressants just canât relax or even sit still when they want to. If this is the case, it needs to be addressed, she says.
If you are experiencing increased restlessness or anxiety after starting an antidepressant, speak with your doctor. This could be a side effect called akathisia that needs to be addressed because feeling restless on top of sadness can lead to increased risk of self-harm.
Depending on the cause and severity of the restlessness or anxiety, your doctor may have different suggestions. âWorking out, [yoga](https://www.everydayhealth.com/yoga/), or [meditation](https://www.everydayhealth.com/meditation/) is usually enough to drain away the excess energy, but if that does not work, you could ask their doctor to prescribe nonaddictive [sedatives](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sedatives/guide/) or adjust the dosage of antidepressants,â Cidambi says. Sometimes, this may mean a different form of treatment is needed.
If youâre having high energy levels accompanied by racing or impulsive thoughts, it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as [bipolar disorder](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cyclothymia/), cautions Cidambi. She recommends talking to your doctor if you have these symptoms.
**RELATED:** [**7 Causes of Anxiety**](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety-pictures/7-surprising-causes-of-anxiety.aspx)
## **12\. âI Want to Dieâ**
With depression, thereâs always a risk of [suicidal thoughts](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/understanding-suicide-from-risk-factors-prevention-how-get-help/), but these can also be a side effect of antidepressants, though a rare one. [Research](https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/relationship-between-antidepressant-initiation-and-suicide-risk) has found that antidepressants, [SSRIs](https://www.everydayhealth.com/serotonin/guide/) especially, generally help protect against and lower rates of suicidal events in adults. For children and young people, the authors note that antidepressants are effective at reducing depression severity but have little to no effect on suicidal behavior. However, the authors attribute this more to factors unrelated to medication, such as impulsive behavior, bullying, and illicit drug use.
Regardless of what might be prompting suicidal thoughts, call your doctor immediately if you start to experience worsening depression symptoms, including suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself or others, Dunlop advises. You can also get help at any time by calling the [988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline](https://988lifeline.org/).
If youâre running into a problem with your antidepressants, thereâs likely a solution â so donât ignore it. Get to the bottom of it.
*Additional reporting by [Michelle Pugle](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/michelle-pugle/).*
Meet Our Experts
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#### Heidi Green, MD
##### Medical Reviewer
[Castle Connolly Top Doctor](https://www.everydayhealth.com/mra/castle-connolly-top-doctors/), Member of [American College of Lifestyle Medicine](https://www.everydayhealth.com/mra/american-college-of-lifestyle-medicine/)
Heidi Green, MD, is board certified in psychiatry, addiction medicine, and lifestyle medicine. She currently divides her time between maintaining a small private practice and working at specialized opioid treatment programs in North Carolina.
In her private practice, Dr. Green provides psychiatric consultative services and offers an office-based buprenorphine maintenance program to support recovery from opioid addictions. She enjoys offering lifestyle medicine consultation to those interested in maximizing their emotional and physical health by replacing unhealthy behaviors with positive ones, such as eating healthfully, being physically active, managing stress, avoiding risky substance use, improving sleep, and improving the quality of their relationships.
At the opioid treatment programs, Green serves as medical director, working with a team of counselors, nurses, and other medical providers. The programs provide evidence-based treatment (including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone) for persons suffering from opioid use disorders (such as addictions to heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain medications).
Previously, Green has worked in community health and mental health settings where she provided consultation to behavioral health teams, integrated care teams, substance abuse intensive outpatient programs, and a womenâs perinatal residential program. She also enjoyed supervising residents in her prior role as assistant consulting professor to the department of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine. During her training at the UNC department of psychiatry, she was honored to serve as chief resident, clinical instructor of psychiatry, and psychotherapy supervisor.
Green is passionate about the years we can add to our life and the life we can add to our years through lifestyle medicine! She focuses on maintaining her own healthy lifestyle through work-life balance, contemplative practices, and eating a plant-based diet. She finds joy through a continual growth mindset, shared quality time with her partner, and time spent outdoors backpacking and mountain biking.
[See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/heidi-green/)
#### Madeline R. Vann, MPH, LPC
##### Author
Madeline Vann, MPH, LPC, is a freelance health and medical writer located in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been writing for over 15 years and can present complicated health topics at any reading level. Her writing has appeared in HealthDay, the Huffington Post, *Costco Connection*, the *New Orleans Times-Picayune*, the *Huntsville Times*, and numerous academic publications.
She received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University, and has a master of public health degree from Tulane University. Her areas of interest include diet, fitness, chronic and infectious diseases, oral health, biotechnology, cancer, positive psychology, caregiving, end-of-life issues, and the intersection between environmental health and individual health.
Outside of writing, Vann is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in treating military and first responders coping with grief, loss, trauma, and addiction/recovery. She is a trauma specialist at the Farley Center, where she provides workshops on trauma, grief, and distress tolerance coping skills. She regularly practices yoga, loves to cook, and canât decide between a Mediterranean style diet and an Asian-fusion approach.
[See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/madeline-r-vann/)
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EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our [editorial policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/). We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Sources
Additional Sources
- Antidepressant Use Among Adults: United States, 2015â2018. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db377.htm). September 4, 2020.
- Depression and Illness: Chicken or Egg? [Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/depression-and-illness-chicken-or-egg). September 25, 2018.
- How Do I Choose Between Medication and Therapy? [American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/medication-or-therapy). 2017.
- Karkou V, Aithal S, Zubala A, Meekums B. Effectiveness of Dance Movement Therapy in the Treatment of Adults With Depression: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analyses. *[Frontiers in Psychology](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00936/full)*. May 3, 2019.
- Goodwin GM, Price J, De Bodinat C, Laredo J. Emotional Blunting With Antidepressant Treatments: A Survey Among Depressed Patients. *[Journal of Affective Disorders](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032717308303?via%253Dihub)*. October 15, 2017.
- Gafoor R, Booth HP, Gulliford MC. Antidepressant Utilisation and Incidence of Weight Gain During 10 Yearsâ Follow-Up: Population Based Cohort Study. *[BMJ](https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1951)*. May 23, 2018.
- Depression. [National Institute of Mental Health](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression). April 2023.
- Sexual Side Effects of SSRIs: Why It Happens and What to Do. [Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-an-ssri-medication-impacts-your-sex-life). July 7, 2023.
- Gibbons RD, Mann JJ. The Relationship Between Antidepressant Initiation and Suicide Risk. *[Psychiatric Times](https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/relationship-between-antidepressant-initiation-and-suicide-risk)*. December 31, 2014.
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| Readable Markdown | ## **1\. âUgh â Suddenly My Head Hurtsâ**
During the first few days of your new prescription, you might find that you have a [headache](https://www.everydayhealth.com/headache/guide/). All antidepressants have the potential to produce this side effect for a few days, says [Boadie Dunlop, MD](https://hip.emory.edu/faculty/bios/dunlop_boadie.html), associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and director of the mood and anxiety disorders program at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
He suggests taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) to help, adding that this symptom usually gets better within the first week or two.
## **2\. âMy Stomach Is Upset, and I Have Diarrheaâ**
People taking selective [serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)](https://www.everydayhealth.com/ssri/guide/) antidepressants â such as escitalopram (Lexapro) and [sertraline (Zoloft)](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nutritional-supplements/herbs-to-stay-away-from-on-zoloft/) â might find that they have [nausea](https://www.everydayhealth.com/nausea/guide/), [diarrhea](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diarrhea/guide/), or constipation. You can manage nausea by taking the medications with food, Dr. Dunlop says.
Make sure youâre eating enough fiber and drinking enough fluids; you also might consider taking an over-the-counter [medication for diarrhea](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diarrhea/treatment-options/) or constipation. Like headaches, these symptoms typically go away early in your treatment.
## **3\. âI Have the Shakesâ**
A small number of people find that their medication causes shakiness or tremors. âThese can persist and can prevent people from continuing with their medication,â Dunlop says. If you develop this symptom, contact your doctor to discuss changing your dose, or the drug itself.
## **4\. â****I Have a Dry Mouth and Really Bad Breathâ**
Dry mouth is a common side effect of antidepressants. For most people, dry mouth will improve within a few weeks of taking antidepressants or even earlier, says Karen Lim, MD, a double board-certified [psychiatrist](https://www.everydayhealth.com/psychiatrist/guide/) in general and child and adolescent psychiatry with Prairie Health, a telepsychiatry company based in California.
In the meantime, Dr. Lim suggests sipping on water routinely, sucking on ice chips and sugarless candies, popping mints, and chewing sugarless gum.
âIf dry mouth persists beyond your first few weeks on an antidepressant, or if it is particularly severe, I would speak to your doctor as soon as possible,â recommends Lim, adding that your dentist may also be able to help.
## **5****. âIâm Still Sadâ**
Of all antidepressant problems, this may be the thorniest to untangle. If youâre continuing to experience [depression symptoms](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/#signs-and-symptoms) despite taking an antidepressant, there are a number of possible explanations to consider:
- **You got the wrong diagnosis.** âWhen someone has depression that doesnât respond to treatment, the first thing you do is step back and make sure you have the right diagnosis,â Dr. Combs says. Your psychiatrist might do more tests to make sure some important clues werenât missed the first time around. Medical conditions, including [stroke](https://www.everydayhealth.com/stroke/guide/), [heart disease](https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-disease/guide/), [hypothyroidism](https://www.everydayhealth.com/hypothyroidism/guide/), and certain nutritional deficiencies, as well as some medications, can be the underlying cause of as many as 15 percent of all depression cases, [according to Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/depression-and-illness-chicken-or-egg).
- **Your medication hasn****â****t kicked in yet.** Sometimes it takes time for antidepressants to become effective. Check with your doctor to find out whether you need to wait a bit longer.
- **You****â****re drinking** **alcohol or using drugs.** These substances can interfere with the effectiveness of your [depression treatment](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/treatment/), so youâll need to quit if you want complete success.
- **You****â****re not in therapy.** Although medication can help, you might also need to talk with a therapist to help you figure out how to cope with issues in your life that are causing you to [feel sad or anxious](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/anxiety-and-depression.aspx). Some evidence suggests that the combination of medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either method alone, [reports the American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/medication-or-therapy).
- **You****â****re taking the wrong medication.** You might find relief by [switching antidepressants](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/depression/top-mistakes-people-make-with-antidepressant-medication/) or adding another medication, such as a thyroid drug or lithium. Talk about this with your doctor.
- **You need to try something new.** Ask your doctor whether you might benefit from other approaches â even unconventional ones. For example, dance movement therapy has been shown to help manage depression, according to [research](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00936/full).
## **6\. âIâm Not Sad, but Iâm Not Happy Eitherâ**
Approximately 46 percent of people who take [antidepressant medication](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/medications/) experience emotional blunting â a feeling of being depleted of all emotions, including the good ones, according to one [survey](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032717308303?via%253Dihub).
You donât have to lose your ability to feel joy in order to manage depression: Emotional blunting is best addressed by switching to a different [class of antidepressants](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/medications/), adding a second medication, or [talking with a therapist](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/what-psychologists-do-in-the-morning-to-set-themselves-up-for-a-good-day/), Combs says.
## **7\. âMy Antidepressant Is Making Me Gain Weightâ**
Some [depression treatments](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/treatment/) do put you at risk for weight gain, according to one [study](https://www.bmj.com/content/361/bmj.k1951). After evaluating nearly 137,000 men and nearly 158,000 women, researchers found that taking an antidepressant is associated with a 21 percent increased [risk of weight gain](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/antidepressants-and-weight-gain-why-it-happens-and-ways-to-cope/) exceeding 5 percent of oneâs body weight.
If you have a history of being overweight, youâre more likely to gain while on an antidepressant â so choose an antidepressant that is weight-neutral, Combs advises. If thatâs not an option, she emphasizes getting counseled in diet and exercise. An added bonus? The [National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml) that exercise can be an important part of your treatment.
## **8\. âSex Tonight? No Way!â**
Many people struggling with depression lose interest in sexual activity, but some antidepressants can lower their libido further or make it difficult to respond sexually. Doctors donât always warn their patients about this effect, Combs says, and it can be very frustrating. Some people are willing to accept it as a temporary trade-off for successful [depression treatment](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/treatment/), but most want solutions.
Consider switching antidepressants, trying a different dosing schedule, scheduling sex around your dosing schedule, taking other medications to [improve sexual response](https://www.everydayhealth.com/erectile-dysfunction/guide/), or meeting with a sex therapist, [notes Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-an-ssri-medication-impacts-your-sex-life).
## **9****. âIâm Up All Nightâ**
[Insomnia](https://www.everydayhealth.com/insomnia/guide/), [sleeping too much](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/are-you-sleeping-too-much/), and other changes to your [sleep](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-disorders/sleep/sleep-101-ultimate-guide-on-how-get-better-nights-sleep/) cycle are all [signs of depression](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/guide/symptoms/), according to the [NIMH](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression). And when you canât get a good nightâs sleep, it can make it even harder to treat your depression effectively.
âSome antidepressants are identified as activating, and some are sedating,â Combs explains. Finding the right match for you is key. A sedating antidepressant, for instance, might be a good bet for someone who is having problems falling asleep.
Itâs also important to look at other lifestyle choices that might be affecting your sleep, such as your sleep environment, [physical activity](https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/great-exercises-to-fight-depression.aspx) (or lack of it), [caffeine](https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/benefits-of-going-caffeine-free/) consumption late in the day, napping during the day, and alcohol use.
**RELATED:** [**Do These 10 Natural Insomnia Aids Really Help You Get Better Sleep?**](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-pictures/0708/8-cheap-and-natural-insomnia-remedies.aspx)
## **10\. âI Want to Stop Taking My Meds, but Iâm Afraid My Depression Will Come Backâ**
Once you start feeling better, youâll likely want to quit taking antidepressants. But Dunlop says that you need to be stable on antidepressants for at least six months first, to reduce the risk of experiencing another bout of depression in the future.
Although antidepressants are only temporary for most people, you should never stop taking them (or any prescription medication) without the guidance of a doctor. Usually, the best approach is to reduce your dose in increments. Stopping âcold turkeyâ could result in unwanted side effects and risk a recurrence of depression, Dunlop notes.
## **11\.** **â****Now I Have Anxietyâ**
Some antidepressants can have stimulating effects, resulting in restlessness, [anxiety](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety/guide/), and agitation, says [Indra Cidambi, MD](https://recoverycnt.com/about/), medical director and founder of [Center for Network Therapy](https://recoverycnt.com/), a New Jerseyâbased outpatient addiction and mental health treatment facility.
âOne of the goals of antidepressants is, after all, to give you more energy to accomplish your daily tasks,â Dr. Cidambi explains. But sometimes people taking certain antidepressants just canât relax or even sit still when they want to. If this is the case, it needs to be addressed, she says.
If you are experiencing increased restlessness or anxiety after starting an antidepressant, speak with your doctor. This could be a side effect called akathisia that needs to be addressed because feeling restless on top of sadness can lead to increased risk of self-harm.
Depending on the cause and severity of the restlessness or anxiety, your doctor may have different suggestions. âWorking out, [yoga](https://www.everydayhealth.com/yoga/), or [meditation](https://www.everydayhealth.com/meditation/) is usually enough to drain away the excess energy, but if that does not work, you could ask their doctor to prescribe nonaddictive [sedatives](https://www.everydayhealth.com/sedatives/guide/) or adjust the dosage of antidepressants,â Cidambi says. Sometimes, this may mean a different form of treatment is needed.
If youâre having high energy levels accompanied by racing or impulsive thoughts, it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as [bipolar disorder](https://www.everydayhealth.com/cyclothymia/), cautions Cidambi. She recommends talking to your doctor if you have these symptoms.
**RELATED:** [**7 Causes of Anxiety**](https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety-pictures/7-surprising-causes-of-anxiety.aspx)
## **12\. âI Want to Dieâ**
With depression, thereâs always a risk of [suicidal thoughts](https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/understanding-suicide-from-risk-factors-prevention-how-get-help/), but these can also be a side effect of antidepressants, though a rare one. [Research](https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/relationship-between-antidepressant-initiation-and-suicide-risk) has found that antidepressants, [SSRIs](https://www.everydayhealth.com/serotonin/guide/) especially, generally help protect against and lower rates of suicidal events in adults. For children and young people, the authors note that antidepressants are effective at reducing depression severity but have little to no effect on suicidal behavior. However, the authors attribute this more to factors unrelated to medication, such as impulsive behavior, bullying, and illicit drug use.
Regardless of what might be prompting suicidal thoughts, call your doctor immediately if you start to experience worsening depression symptoms, including suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself or others, Dunlop advises. You can also get help at any time by calling the [988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline](https://988lifeline.org/).
If youâre running into a problem with your antidepressants, thereâs likely a solution â so donât ignore it. Get to the bottom of it.
*Additional reporting by [Michelle Pugle](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/michelle-pugle/).*
Meet Our Experts
[See Our Editorial Policy](https://www.everydayhealth.com/editorial-policies/)[Meet Our Health Expert Network](https://www.everydayhealth.com/health-expert-network/)
#### Heidi Green, MD
##### Medical Reviewer
[Castle Connolly Top Doctor](https://www.everydayhealth.com/mra/castle-connolly-top-doctors/), Member of [American College of Lifestyle Medicine](https://www.everydayhealth.com/mra/american-college-of-lifestyle-medicine/)
Heidi Green, MD, is board certified in psychiatry, addiction medicine, and lifestyle medicine. She currently divides her time between maintaining a small private practice and working at specialized opioid treatment programs in North Carolina.
In her private practice, Dr. Green provides psychiatric consultative services and offers an office-based buprenorphine maintenance program to support recovery from opioid addictions. She enjoys offering lifestyle medicine consultation to those interested in maximizing their emotional and physical health by replacing unhealthy behaviors with positive ones, such as eating healthfully, being physically active, managing stress, avoiding risky substance use, improving sleep, and improving the quality of their relationships.
At the opioid treatment programs, Green serves as medical director, working with a team of counselors, nurses, and other medical providers. The programs provide evidence-based treatment (including buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone) for persons suffering from opioid use disorders (such as addictions to heroin, fentanyl, or prescription pain medications).
Previously, Green has worked in community health and mental health settings where she provided consultation to behavioral health teams, integrated care teams, substance abuse intensive outpatient programs, and a womenâs perinatal residential program. She also enjoyed supervising residents in her prior role as assistant consulting professor to the department of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine. During her training at the UNC department of psychiatry, she was honored to serve as chief resident, clinical instructor of psychiatry, and psychotherapy supervisor.
Green is passionate about the years we can add to our life and the life we can add to our years through lifestyle medicine! She focuses on maintaining her own healthy lifestyle through work-life balance, contemplative practices, and eating a plant-based diet. She finds joy through a continual growth mindset, shared quality time with her partner, and time spent outdoors backpacking and mountain biking.
[See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/heidi-green/)
#### Madeline R. Vann, MPH, LPC
##### Author
Madeline Vann, MPH, LPC, is a freelance health and medical writer located in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been writing for over 15 years and can present complicated health topics at any reading level. Her writing has appeared in HealthDay, the Huffington Post, *Costco Connection*, the *New Orleans Times-Picayune*, the *Huntsville Times*, and numerous academic publications.
She received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University, and has a master of public health degree from Tulane University. Her areas of interest include diet, fitness, chronic and infectious diseases, oral health, biotechnology, cancer, positive psychology, caregiving, end-of-life issues, and the intersection between environmental health and individual health.
Outside of writing, Vann is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in treating military and first responders coping with grief, loss, trauma, and addiction/recovery. She is a trauma specialist at the Farley Center, where she provides workshops on trauma, grief, and distress tolerance coping skills. She regularly practices yoga, loves to cook, and canât decide between a Mediterranean style diet and an Asian-fusion approach.
[See full bio](https://www.everydayhealth.com/authors/madeline-r-vann/)
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