Antidepressants are among the most widely used medicines in the world, yet myths stop many people from taking them — or make them stop too early.
This article explains how they work in general terms. Your psychiatrist decides whether a medicine is right for you.
Key concepts
- Antidepressants are not habit-forming like sleeping pills
- They take a few weeks to work
- They are also used for anxiety, OCD and some pain conditions
Symptoms and signs
- Myth: they make you 'high' or change personality — fact: they help restore your usual self
- Myth: once started, lifelong — fact: most courses last months, reviewed regularly
- Myth: they damage the kidneys or brain — fact: they are monitored and generally safe when prescribed
Causes
- Myths often come from confusing antidepressants with sleeping pills
- Early side-effects can be mistaken for harm
- Stopping suddenly can cause discontinuation symptoms, which people mistake for addiction
Risk factors
- Stopping as soon as you feel better increases relapse risk
- Taking medicines without a prescription or from a friend
- Not telling the doctor about other medicines or pregnancy
Evidence-based management
- Discuss expected benefits and side-effects before starting
- Take daily as advised; review after 2–4 weeks
- Continue for the advised period after recovery
- Stop only gradually with your doctor's plan
When to seek professional help
- Worsening mood, agitation or new suicidal thoughts after starting — contact your doctor promptly
- Side-effects that are hard to tolerate
- Planning pregnancy while on treatment
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink alcohol with antidepressants?
It is best avoided — alcohol worsens depression and can increase drowsiness and side-effects.
What if one medicine does not suit me?
There are several options. The dose or medicine can be changed, and therapy can be added.
Medical references
Guidelines and official sources used for this article.
- Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), UK, 2022.
- mhGAP Intervention Guide for mental, neurological and substance use disorders in non-specialized health settings, version 2.0. World Health Organization, 2016.
- Depressive disorder (depression) — fact sheet. World Health Organization.
- Author
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MBBS, MD Psychiatry
- Medical reviewer
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MD Psychiatry
- Last reviewed
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
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