how long for SSRI to work?

[keeley24]

How long does it take for SSRI anti depressants to work? Anyone had experience taking it or supporting someone taking it?

My partner has recently 3 weeks ago started taking it after having a couple of really bad days feeling suicidal. All through this to me he has seemed ok he’s wanted extra cuddles or more company sometimes but nothing major. The 2 days he’s felt suicidal he has told me but to me he seemed ok. I have always been honest with him in saying I have never been through depression so have no idea what it’s like but he can talk to me and I’ll be there for him all I can. From him starting the SSRI medication 3 weeks back he said he can feel they are starting to have an effect in the past week. I assumed he was ok now but last night I was texting him and he got upset over something so tiny. We had planned to have time together at his today this afternoon and I said I may not be able to and he got upset. I would still see him and have time with him either way so I didn’t see what the issue was. We discussed this and I was a bit annoyed at how he was reacting as we would still see each other. So I said if changing plans upset him so much we would just never make plans about anything again which is the simple solution he agreed but also explained that he’s struggling with low moods and feels the medication is taking forever to work which he knows it’s not as he’s been told it can take 6 weeks.

This morning he seemed most upset I’ve seen him not crying but looked close to tears and just wanted to cuddle. He said he’s feeling same as last few weeks but just being more open about it which I hope is true but can’t be sure. He says being with me does help him and I think it’s true as he seems to want to be with me more.

[Sunrisetabby]

Hi keeley24, try to remain hopeful about the benefits of the SSRI. Also, I am sure that you supporting him is helpful. That being said, the specific medication, as well as the specific dose, not to mention other life factors and stressors, such as sleep, nutrition, stress, etc., all likely have significant impacts on whether or not an SSRI is effective and how long it takes to start working, with working most likely not being a magical cure but instead an improvement in mood. I have found that focussing and improving the factors I can control means I am more likely to improve. So social interaction, quality sleep, lowering of stress, good nutrition, cognitive behavior therapy and eliminating cognitive distortions, etc., therapy, etc., all are key components of mood, and improving them will make the SSRI more likely to work, even if the SSRI is not actually helping or of limited benefit. I have taken several SSRIs at different doses over the years with apparently no benefit, and more recently some that seemed, ad a high dose, to have perhaps a significant benefit. So stay positive, focus on factors you can control, and remain in contact with psychiatrist and understand that the medication may need to be increased in dose or changed.

[LoveforAll41]

Hi keeley, it sounds like you are being a good support to him there. I think that they do take a while to kick in, and for me you can have some real ups and downs and powerful emotions while you are adjusting to them. I would try to have as much patience as you can and encourage him to talk about his emotions. I also think that is essential to do therapy in conjunction with taking SSRIs.

I think depression can be really hard to understand if you haven't experienced it. I would try to understand that this will make some things hard and try to put in the extra work if needed.

[keeley24]

thanks for the replies. It is hard for me to understand as I’ve never been through it and it seems to come and go randomly. Like yesterday in morning he just wanted cuddles and seemed upset then last night we went out and he insisted on us both wearing Santa hats. So you can see the complete opposite in how he is at least acting. I’ve also noticed he’s still going out as much as usual and doing same things. The only thing he hasn’t done is going to gym classes that he used to go to at local leisure centre but he’s still going to aqua classes and a social group he goes to.

He wants me to stay at his Christmas night so thinking of using that to really talk to him about how he’s feeling but I also find it hard having that type of conversation.

[Midori]

SSRIs can take up to 6 weeks before you are stable on them, although mostly you start feeling the benefits after about 3, so your partner is on track with them.

Just support him as much as you can, until he feels a bit better, and if necessary go back to the doctor. There are several different SSRIs, see how you go before you ask to change.

Cheers, Midori