You have many options if you think you need antidepressants. They’re generally safe, well-studied, and may help improve your quality of life. Speak with your doctor about possible side effects, like weight loss or gain.

Some may be unsure about antidepressants or have concerns about side effects, psychological dependence, or addiction. Yet, antidepressants may help many people through different phases of depression.

Deciding to use an antidepressant as a treatment option is a personal decision involving a collaborative effort with your doctor. Doing your research, learning more about antidepressants, and talking with your doctor can help you make a choice that’s right for you.

Antidepressants are medications used to treat depressionTrusted Source, among other conditions. They:

Many kinds of antidepressants are available. Common classes of antidepressants used to help treat depression include:

Learn more about antidepressant medications.

Taking antidepressants has many benefits. Knowing these can help inform your decision.

They’re effective at relieving symptoms

Research suggests that antidepressants may be more effectiveTrusted Source than a placebo in treating major depression in adults.

They’re well-studied and generally safe

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved all antidepressantsTrusted Source, which means they’ve undergone rigorous testing and clinical trials.

They may help you succeed with other parts of your treatment plan

Your treatment plan may include other aspects, like lifestyle changes or therapy.

If your depression makes you apathetic and lethargic, antidepressants can help restore your energy so you can:

  • fulfill everyday activities
  • participate in therapy
  • complete other items in your treatment plan

Improved quality of life

People on antidepressants report an improved quality of lifeTrusted Source. They:

  • are less reactive to negative life events
  • can examine things in a more balanced way
  • have improved concentration

If you think you need antidepressants

Finding treatment for depression is a big step and isn’t always easy. If you think you need antidepressants:

  • Talk with your doctor: They can screen for depression and talk about your symptoms to evaluate your situation. Some can prescribe antidepressants. Others may prescribe them and refer you to a counselor for talk therapy.
  • Ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist: This is especially important if your depression is severe or you have other medical or mental health conditions.

These organizations can help you find a psychiatrist or mental health professional:

As with any medication, antidepressants may have cons. These may vary for everyone, but knowing them can help you prepare.

Talking with your doctor about any drawbacks can help determine whether the pros outweigh the cons.

You may need to try several kinds

Not every antidepressant will work for everyone. You might have to switch more than once to find the best medication for you and your symptoms.

Antidepressants can also take some time to reach their full effect.

They may affect your sex drive

Antidepressants may reduce your sex drive or sexual functioning. Some antidepressants are more likely than others to do so.

About 1 in 5 adultsTrusted Source in the United States experiences sexual side effects due to antidepressants.

If the side effects interfere with your life, ask your doctor about adjusting the dosage or finding other ways to manage them.

They can affect sleep

Disrupted sleep is common among people with depression, but it’s usually not clear whether it’s a side effect of medication or a symptom of depression. If you have a sleep disorder, this can further affect your sleep.

Some antidepressants have sleep-related (sedating) effects, such as:

Antidepressants may also contribute to insomnia, depending on:

  • the antidepressant
  • the dosage
  • when you take it

If your antidepressant is interfering with your sleep, talk with your doctor.

They may affect your weight

Some antidepressants list weight gain as a side effect, but other antidepressants carry a lower risk of weight gain. This doesn’t mean you will gain or lose weight on antidepressants. Everyone’s bodies respond to them differently.

The potential for weight gain shouldn’t control your decision about antidepressants.

Learn more about antidepressant-related weight gain and weight loss.

They may be costly

Even with insurance and generic prescriptions, antidepressants might still be costly.

Although your insurance provider and plan determine the prescription cost, it may be beneficial to work with your doctor to see if they can:

  • provide an authorization request to your insurance company
  • help you find a more affordable option
  • offer you samples or coupons

They may have side effects

Side effects can be troublesome. They may include:

These minor side effects tend to pass within a few weeks. If you continue to have side effects or significant ones that don’t go away, talk with your doctor.

Learn more about the side effects of antidepressants.

If you choose to stop, you cannot stop abruptly

If you decide to stop taking antidepressants, abrupt stopping is not recommended, as withdrawal symptoms can occur.

Do not stop taking your medication until you’ve talked with your doctor. They might put you on a tapering planTrusted Source or switch you to a new medication. They can also monitor you for any withdrawal symptoms.

Antidepressants are generally a safe and effective FDA-approved treatment option for depression. They may even help you succeed in other areas of your treatment plan. An improved quality of life may be on the other side of treatment.

Various classes of antidepressants are available, and different drugs are available within each class.

Finding the right antidepressant for you can take time, and you may face sexual side effects or weight loss or gain, among other side effects. You might have to try more than one before you find one that works best for you.