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HOW ANTIDEPRESSANTS WORK

What side effects do antidepressants have? Everyone’s body reacts differently to medication. Some people do not have side effects. Some people do. Side effects include dry mouth, constipation, vision problems, sexual problems, drowsiness and diffculty sleeping. In extreme cases, antidepressants may cause suicidal thoughts or make your depression worse. It is important to talk about side effects with your doctor.

How will I know if it’s working? It may take weeks before you notice any changes in your mood. It’s common to try different medications to fnd the best combination of medications for you. When a drug is working, you will feel like yourself again. You may feel like a fog is lifting. You will feel the normal ups and downs of life, but they will feel less extreme.

Can I stop taking my medication when I start feeling better? No. Work closely with your doctor if you want to stop taking antidepressants. Stopping all at once can be hard on your emotions and your body.

Get Help If you are having a mental health crisis, get help immediately.

• Don’t be alone. Call a trusted friend to be with you.

• Call 911.

• Visit your doctor’s offce or the nearest emergency room.

• Call the toll-free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK (8255) or TTY 1.800.799.4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained counselor.

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1.800.475.METRO.

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MANAGING DEPRESSION

YOU HAVE OPTIONS FOR

TREATING DEPRESSION

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You Are Not Alone Sadness, anxiety, hopelessness and irritability are signs of depression. Changes in your sleep or eating patterns are also symptoms. You may also have aches and pains that you can’t explain. Depression is a disease and it can be treated. There is help available.

The sooner you seek help for depression, the faster you’ll get back to feeling like yourself again. Talk to your doctor if you believe that you or a loved one suffers from depression.

MetroPlus members, call 1.800.303.9626 to make an appointment. MetroPlus Care Managers can help you. Our Case Management team can also help set up appointments, arrange transportation to your therapy appointments, and answer your prescription coverage questions.

If you’ve been hospitalized for a mental health issue like depression, it’s important that you have a follow-up visit with a mental health provider within 7 days of discharge.

Facts About Antidepressants

1 Medication may take 3 to 4 weeks to start working. And it can take up to 8 weeks for you to feel better. Treatment works faster for some people than for others.

2You and your doctor may need to try different types of antidepressants or different doses to fnd one that works well for you.

3You should never stop taking medications without talking with your doctor.

4 You may experience side effects. Dry mouth, constipation, drowsiness or diffculty sleeping are possibilities. Share how you feel with your doctor.

Treatment Options Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, is a general term for talking about your troubles with a trained counselor. Mental health counselors, or therapists, help you notice unhealthy behaviors and learn new ways to cope.

Medications ease the symptoms of depression by changing the chemistry in your brain. Your doctor may also combine medications to fnd the right solution for you. Mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medicines are sometimes used along with antidepressant drugs to increase their effect.

A combination of both counseling and medication is a common treatment plan. The medicine works inside your body to change the way your brain works. At the same time, you can work with a therapist to explore your attitudes, behavior and the way you respond to the stresses of daily life.

WHEN YOU NEED HELP NOW

IF YOU’RE HAVING THOUGHTS ABOUT HARMING YOURSELF, OR IF YOU DON’T FEEL SAFE BEING ALONE, YOU NEED HELP RIGHT AWAY. HERE ARE SOME NUMBERS TO CALL DURING A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY.

CALL 911, OR GO TO YOUR NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM

CALL 1.800.LIFENET

CALL 1.800.273.TALK

DISPATCHERS AND MEDICAL STAFF CONNECT YOU WITH PEOPLE TRAINED TO MANAGE MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES.

THIS FREE, CONFIDENTIAL HELP LINE IS AVAILABLE 24/7 FOR NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS. IT CAN GUIDE YOU TO THE BEST HELP.

THIS IS THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE. STAFF IS TRAINED TO HELP CALLERS WHO ARE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.