How will I know if my treatment for depression is working?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, as people recover from depression, the first symptoms that usually improve are problems with sleeping and loss of appetite (or excessive appetite). After that, energy and interest in activities improve, as do the ability to think clearly and to function more productively. The last symptom of depression to improve is the feeling of being depressed and discouraged, which can happen many weeks after treatment has begun. Although this same sequence of improvements may not be what everyone goes through, it is common.

You may be the last to recognize when the treatment is helping. Although others may see you getting better and while you may notice that you are able to function better, you may continue to feel depressed. This lingering feeling of depression may interfere with your ability to believe you are getting better, so it is important to stick with your treatment even when you have doubts about its effectiveness.

What do I do if I think the depression treatment I am receiving is not helping?

The American Psychiatric Association suggests the following:

First, compare your perception of how the treatment is working with others who see you regularly and whom you trust. As mentioned in a previous answer, you may not feel better even though you are getting better. If others agree that progress is not occurring, however, don't keep quiet about it. Talk to your psychiatrist, your family or primary care physician or your therapist.

Open, direct communication is essential for treatment, and it needs to flow in both directions from patient to doctor and vice versa. A good psychiatrist will want to hear from you and will value your concerns. Anyone who dismisses what you say may not be worth working with.

Ask your psychiatrist or therapist why progress is not occurring. Ask how else you might be helped. For example, are there other treatments that could be considered?

You should also feel free to ask your psychiatrist for a second opinion about your treatment. This means you or your psychiatrist ask another medical professional to review your care and make suggestions to improve it. Getting a second opinion is common in medical practice. It can offer a fresh perspective and the opportunity to change or enhance your treatment. In general, a psychiatrist welcomes a second opinion, and if he or she doesn't, you may not be working with the right psychiatrist.

Last and not least, don't give up. Depression is a very treatable illness. Although some people respond to treatment in a month or two, others take longer. The statistics are encouraging: As many as 85 percent of people respond to appropriate treatment.

next: Personal Stories of Depression and Treatment - Laura