This page is for general education and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified professional. If this is an emergency, call 911 or 988.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.
Medication helps many people with depression, especially moderate to severe cases — and it works best when guided by a prescriber who can match the option to you and adjust as needed. You don’t have to know which medication is right before you start; that’s what the prescriber is for. Below are the common options and how to take the next step.
Your treatment options
A prescriber (your primary care provider or a psychiatrist) helps you weigh a few categories of antidepressant:
- SSRIs and SNRIs — usually first-line. These are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and are often the starting point because they tend to be effective and well tolerated.
- Atypical and other antidepressants. Alternatives that a prescriber may choose based on your symptoms, side-effect profile, and other health conditions.
- Combination with therapy. Many people do best pairing medication with therapy for depression, especially for moderate to severe depression.
- When standard options aren’t enough. For treatment-resistant depression, a specialist may consider options such as TMS or Spravato (esketamine)/ketamine. See the broader treatment overview and our treatment guides.
A few practical points: it can take several weeks to feel the full effect, side effects often ease over the first weeks, and you should never stop abruptly — taper with your prescriber.
What happens when you call
If you use the helpline on this page, here’s what to expect — no surprises:
- A treatment specialist answers and asks a few questions about what you’re going through.
- It’s a no-pressure conversation. There’s no obligation to enter treatment, and you can stop any time.
- They can help you understand options, including connecting with a prescriber, cost, and insurance.
- This is an advertising-supported service: calls are answered by a paid advertiser, not by Get Mental Help. If you’d rather not use it, the free SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) and 988 are always available.
This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice — decisions about medication are made with a licensed prescriber.
Check in on your symptoms
Not sure how much depression is affecting you? Take a private, two-minute, non-diagnostic depression self-check. Nothing is saved, and it can help you decide whether to reach out.
Find depression help in your state
Prescribers, costs, and coverage differ by state. Use Find Help by State for the mental-health agency, Medicaid coverage, crisis lines, and free or low-cost options where you live — part of our State of Mental Health Access data.
What treatment costs
Cost depends on the medication, your insurance, and your state — so there’s no single number. A few things that help:
- Insurance and Medicaid generally cover mental health care and prescriptions; coverage varies by plan and state.
- Generic antidepressants are widely available and are often a lower-cost option; ask your prescriber or pharmacist.
- Free and low-cost options exist — community mental health centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) can provide care on a sliding scale.
From our clinical review. The hardest stretch is usually the first few weeks, before the medication has fully kicked in and while side effects are settling. People sometimes quit right before it would have started to help. Staying in close contact with your prescriber through that window makes all the difference.
If you’re ready, talk to someone about your options now — it’s free to call and there’s no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How long do antidepressants take to work?
Antidepressants often take four to six weeks to reach full effect, though some improvement in sleep, energy, or appetite can come sooner. Finding the right medication and dose may take some adjustment with your prescriber.
Are antidepressants addictive?
Antidepressants are not considered addictive in the way that some other substances are. However, you should not stop them abruptly, because that can cause discontinuation symptoms. Always taper under your prescriber's guidance.
Do I need to take medication forever?
Not necessarily. Many people take antidepressants for a defined period and then taper off with their prescriber once they are stable. Some with recurrent depression benefit from longer-term treatment. This is an individual decision to make with your provider.
Sources
- Depression — Medications — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Antidepressants — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Depression — American Psychological Association (APA)
Reviewed against the sources above. This page is educational and is not medical advice.
Talk to someone about treatment options
Reach the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline for treatment referrals and information.
This is the free, confidential SAMHSA National Helpline, operated by the U.S. government. Get Mental Help is not affiliated with it and is not compensated for these calls. How this site is funded.