UK researchers claim that antidepressants get to work immediately to lift mood, contrary to current belief.
The researchers state that although patients may not notice the effects until months into the therapy, they work subconsciously. According to Oxford University Researchers the action is rapid, occuring within hours of taking the drugs.
Dr Michael Thase, a psychiatrist from the University of Pennsylvania, said the findings challenged conventional wisdoms and were potentially “paradigm-changing”. “The highest research priority is to confirm that the rapid effects observed in this study are predictive of eventual clinical benefit.”
He said it was possible that switching off the negative thoughts was a crucial part of the therapy.
Alternatively, it might merely be a sign that the drug was beginning to work at the cell level in the brain.
Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “This research may contribute to our understanding of how our bodies respond to antidepressants, but the changes recorded can’t always be felt by patients and it can be some weeks before they begin to feel the symptoms of depression easing.
“We must also remember that the side-effects of medication can often be felt straight away long before the benefits really kick in, and this will always affect people’s experiences in the initial stages of treatment.”