When people start taking more of an antidepressant, their bodies may have some side effects until they get used to it. Some of these are feeling more anxious or irritable, or having your depressive symptoms get worse for a short time. This is usually because the body needs time to get used to the higher levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.
These can be serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine, depending on the type of antidepressant. During this phase, it is very important to talk to a healthcare provider to keep an eye on any bad reactions and make sure the dosage adjustment is right. Below in this article we will discuss more on what to expect when increasing antidepressant dosage.
How Long Does It Take To See Changes For The Better?
Different people take different amounts of antidepressants at different times before they start to feel better. But increasing dosage in short time is not good so you can feel changes after taking in one week but major changes comes with time.
What Side Effects Might Happen If You Take A Higher Dose?
Increasing the amount of an antidepressant you take can cause side effects to show up or get worse. Some common side effects are feeling sick, getting headaches, feeling dizzy, having trouble sleeping, and having stomach problems. Some patients may sweat more, gain or lose weight, or have problems with their ability to mate.
These side effects are often worse when the dose is first started or changed, but they get better over time as the body gets used to the drug. But if side effects last a long time or are very bad, you should talk to your doctor. He or she can help you deal with them or suggest other treatments.
How Can Patients Deal With Possible Sleep Problems?
When changing the dose of an antidepressant, sleep problems are common. People may have trouble sleeping, dream very vividly, or have trouble keeping their normal sleep patterns. Taking care of your sleep is important if you want to avoid these issues. Some things that can help you do this are making your bedroom comfortable, sticking to a regular sleep schedule, and avoiding stimulants like caffeine before bed.
In some cases, doctors may suggest changing when you take your medications or adding an extra treatment to help with sleep problems. Taking good care of sleep problems can make antidepressant therapy work a lot better overall.
How Do Communicating And Keeping An Eye On Things Work?
While taking more drugs, you should check in with your doctor more often and talk about your feelings. Doctors will check in with patients every so often to see how they are doing with the higher dose. You can change the treatment plan if you need to, and you can deal with any new side effects.
Are There Any Chances Of Overdosing Or Getting Sick?
It is usually okay to raise the dose of an antidepressant as long as a doctor is present. In that case, the dose might be too high and hurt or kill the person. An overdose can make you confused, irritable, very sleepy, have a fast heartbeat, or even lose consciousness or have seizures. Following the exact dose given is very important. Do not make any changes without first talking to a healthcare provider.
If you think someone has overdosed, you need to get medical help right away. To avoid toxicity, it’s important to know the signs of an overdose and follow medical advice.
How Important Is Lifestyle for Helping Antidepressants Work?
There are a lot of lifestyle factors that affect how well antidepressants work, especially when the dose is changed. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and learning how to deal with stress can all make the treatment work better overall. Mindfulness, meditation, and social interactions are all good for your mental health and can also help you feel better.
Using these lifestyle changes along with medication can create a more complete way to deal with depression, which can lead to better results and a higher quality of life. Patients are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about ways to improve their lifestyle in addition to taking their medications. From above discussion about what to expect when increasing antidepressant dosage you clearly got the answer about it.