An older adult recently diagnosed with depression asks, "How long it will take for antidepressant medication to make me feel better?" The nurse responds:
a. "It can take several different medications before we find the one that works best for you."
b. "Please be patient; brain chemistry can take several weeks to change."
c. "It can take up to 3 months for the full effects of the medication to be felt."
d. "Take the medication as it is prescribed and everyday will be a little better."
ANS: C
It can take up to 12 weeks of treatment to elicit a full response. It may take several different attempts to identify the most effective antidepressant and it is true that brain chemistry takes time to re-adjust, but those responses do not provide the client with an answer to the question. There are no guarantees and the client should not be led to believe there are any.
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