How to Decide if Antidepressants Are Right for You
Deciding whether to take antidepressants can be a deeply personal and often overwhelming process. This is a conversation I have with my patients all the time, and I understand how complex and emotional it can feel. Taking medication is never a sign of giving up; instead, it’s about finding the right tools to help you live a healthier, more balanced life. If you’re considering antidepressants, here are some key factors to guide your decision-making process.
1. How is your mental health impacting your life?
The first step is to evaluate how your mental health is affecting your ability to function day-to-day. Ask yourself:
Is it difficult to get out of bed, go to work, or manage your responsibilities?
Are your relationships suffering because of your symptoms?
Do you feel stuck or unable to experience joy?
If your mental health symptoms are significantly impacting your ability to live your life, this may be a sign that additional support, including medication, could be helpful.
2. Consider the severity and duration of your symptoms.
Severity and duration play a critical role in deciding whether antidepressants might be right for you. For mild to moderate depression or anxiety, therapy and lifestyle changes are often recommended as first-line treatments. However, if your symptoms are:
Severe (e.g., suicidal thoughts, complete withdrawal from life, inability to function)
Long-lasting (e.g., persisting for weeks or months without improvement)
Worsening despite your efforts
…then antidepressants may offer significant benefits.
How do you know the severity of your symptoms? It can be really hard to look at things objectively when you’re in the middle of it. This is where a good relationship with your doctor matters. A trusted professional can help assess your situation using tools like mood-based questionnaires—not to label you or put you in a box, but to guide treatment decisions and track progress. One commonly used tool is the PHQ-9, which asks about the frequency and impact of symptoms like low mood, fatigue, and changes in sleep or appetite. These tools can ensure that your treatment plan, whether it includes medication or not, is grounded in evidence-based practices.
Unfortunately, this type of evaluation isn’t always done consistently in practice. But understanding the severity and duration of your symptoms can help dictate what treatments are most likely to help you feel better.
3. Have you tried non-medication approaches?
Non-medication options like therapy, movement, meditation, proper sleep, and nutrition are all evidence-based tools for improving mental health. However, these approaches take time, energy, and often a strong support system to implement effectively. If you’re feeling too overwhelmed or depleted to make these changes, antidepressants can serve as a bridge to help you regain the stability and energy needed to take those steps.
Some common non-medication strategies include:
Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of therapy can help reframe negative thought patterns and build coping skills.
Exercise: Regular movement can release feel-good chemicals in your brain and boost your mood.
Lifestyle changes: Sleep hygiene, stress management, and nutrition all play critical roles in mental health.
Mindfulness practices: Yoga, meditation, and light therapy can also provide significant benefits.
If you’ve tried these approaches consistently without significant improvement, medication might be a useful next step. Always going back to question #1 - as much as these non-medications can help, sometimes depending on the severity, we cannot do these regularly.
4. How do you feel about medication?
There is a lot of stigma and misinformation around antidepressants, and it’s normal to have questions or even doubts about taking them. Some people choose not to take medication for their own reasons, and that’s valid too. However, education is critical. Sometimes we need to have hard conversations about the role antidepressants can play in healing.
Medications are not magic pills, but they can be a powerful tool when symptoms are severe or not improving with other interventions. It’s important to understand your options, address concerns openly, and make a decision that feels right for you.
5. What have you tried so far?
Another important consideration is what you’ve already done to address your mental health. Sometimes, small lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Other times, despite your best efforts, those changes aren’t enough. Be honest with yourself about where you are in your journey and what additional support might be necessary.
6. Talk to a Professional
This decision is not one you have to make alone. Your doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist can help guide you through the pros and cons of medication based on your unique situation. They can answer your questions, address your concerns, and work with you to develop a plan that feels right for you.
Final Thoughts
Choosing to take antidepressants is not about weakness or failure. It’s about prioritizing your mental health and doing what you need to feel better. For some, antidepressants are a temporary tool to help them get back on their feet; for others, they’re a longer-term solution. Either way, the decision is yours to make, and there’s no shame in taking steps to improve your well-being.
If you’re unsure where to start, reach out to a healthcare professional to discuss your options. Remember: You’re not alone, and help is always available. If you are still unsure and hoping to get support to understand all your options book a 15-minute complementary discovery call.
