5 Signs You’re a Good Candidate for Antidepressants

Depression is a disease like hypertension and diabetes. And like any disease, depression needs proper medical management. 

Like people with hypertension and diabetes, not everyone diagnosed with depression needs medication, but sometimes it’s necessary to manage your symptoms.

At MS Family Medicine Health Care PC in Rosedale and Garden City, New York, our medical director Michele Reed, DO, FAAFP, and her team provide comprehensive primary care services, managing physical and mental well-being. For our patients with depression, we may prescribe antidepressants when appropriate.

Are you suffering from depression? Do you think you might need medication? We hear you and want to share with you some of the signs you’re a good candidate for antidepressants.

1. Declining social invitations

Depression affects how you think, triggering negative self-talk like “I’m no good,” or “Nobody likes me.” These thoughts affect how you feel, causing a low mood. You may avoid people or activities you enjoy when you feel down on yourself. 

If you have depression and struggle to go out and do things that make you happy, you may need an antidepressant. Antidepressants are prescription medications that alleviate depression symptoms, helping you feel more like you.

There are many types of antidepressants, and no single medication works for all. It can take time to find the right prescription and dose to help you feel better.

2. Feeling numb

Severe depression causes you to disconnect from your feelings. Like a zombie, you go through the motions of your day without really experiencing it. You find life mundane and boring, wondering what’s the point.

Without proper treatment, your depression symptoms may worsen, making it harder to recover. If you feel numb, disconnected, and disinterested in life, an antidepressant may help you reconnect. 

3. Having trouble sleeping

Sleep problems are common with depression. You may have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. Or, you might feel so tired that you want to sleep all the time. 

Changes in healthy sleep patterns worsen depression. Insomnia is common in people with mental health conditions, and lack of adequate sleep can exacerbate your symptoms. When you struggle with sleep and it’s making you feel worse, we can talk to you about antidepressants and how they may help.

4. Showering is overwhelming

When depression symptoms affect normal routines like your daily shower, it’s time to consider medication. The mood changes that come with depression make it hard to take care of yourself. Simple things like taking a shower, getting dressed, or making a meal can be overwhelming. 

Your depression may also make it hard to go to work or school, affecting your finances or learning. 

Antidepressants can ease your overwhelming feelings, making it easier for you to manage your day-to-day life. Taking better care of your personal needs can help lift the fog that comes with depression, putting you back in control.

5. Talk therapy isn’t helping

Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, is one of the primary treatments for depression. You meet with a trained professional who helps you understand the source of your depression symptoms and develop strategies that help you feel better. 

Many people with depression improve with talk therapy. But if you continue to have a down mood, low energy level, and feelings of hopelessness, you may need an antidepressant.

Antidepressants work best when combined with talk therapy.

Are you having a hard time managing life? Do you feel low and tired all the time? Don’t ignore your symptoms. Depression is a serious but treatable mental illness. 

We provide psychiatric counseling at our practice and can work with you to create a plan that helps you feel better. Book an appointment online or over the phone today to schedule a consultation with our compassionate team.