If you have been taking a psychiatric medicine that has been working for you and then suddenly it seems like it is no longer functioning, this can be perplexing and disappointing. You may find your mood altering, anxiety returning, or other symptoms becoming difficult to manage.
You may ask yourself, “Did my medication stop working?
Sometimes a response to medication can change. However, symptoms can come back, or treatment may not seem to be working as well for various reasons. Changes in stress, sleep, health, medication schedule, additional medication, or underlying mental health condition can all play a part.
What Does It Mean When Medication Stops Working?
“My medications stopped working” can signify many things.
Some people find that symptoms they had under control are coming back. Others still find some benefit but believe it is no longer enough. Then new symptoms may develop while the previous symptoms are still improved.
Even if you’re not feeling as well as when therapy started, a medicine may still be helping.
Therefore, it is crucial not to assume that the medication is merely a failure. A health care provider can see the big picture and see what may have changed.
Why Can Psychiatric Medication Feel Less Effective?
There is rarely one simple explanation. Many factors influence the success of mental treatment.
Your Symptoms May Have Changed
Mental health issues may alter over time. Conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia might have times when symptoms are worse or better.
A medication that worked in the past may not be as effective for new or recurring problems. Your clinician may need to re-evaluate your symptoms instead of just maintaining the same treatment approach.
Stress Can Affect Your Mental Health
Even if medicine is helping somewhat, major or prolonged stress might make psychiatric problems worse.
Mood and mental health can be affected by relationship issues, sorrow, work challenges, money worries, trauma, or big life changes.
If symptoms come back at a stressful time, that doesn’t mean your medicine has ceased functioning. It can suggest your overall treatment needs have shifted.
Sleep and Daily Routines Can Change
Poor or disrupted sleep can affect mood, concentration, energy, and emotional regulation.
Any change to your routine, ongoing sleep issues, or fatigue can make your existing mental health symptoms worse. If medication seems less effective, it can be useful to consider changes in sleep and daily routines as part of the bigger picture.
Medication May Not Be Taken Consistently
If doses are missed or medication is taken differently from the prescribed manner, this may impact response to treatment.
There are many reasons people miss doses. They may be busy, they may forget, they may be having side effects, they may not be able to get refills, or they may not be sure what they are supposed to do.
If this happens, tell your doctor. Honest information helps them to work out if the medication itself needs changing, or if the treatment routine needs attention.
Other Medications or Substances May Play a Role
Prescription medications, over-the-counter products, supplements, and other substances can sometimes affect psychiatric treatment.
That’s why your provider needs to be aware of everything you take, not just psychiatric medication. Do not discontinue, begin, or combine medications or supplements without consulting your healthcare professional.
Physical Health Can Affect Psychiatric Symptoms
Changes to physical health can sometimes affect mood, energy, sleep, concentration, or anxiety.
You may have a new medical condition like chronic pain or a hormonal change or something else that can cause symptoms similar to or worsen mental health problems.
Your provider may take into account your overall health when determining why your symptoms have changed.
Does Your Body Get Used to Psychiatric Medication?
You may have heard that the body “develops a tolerance” to psychiatric medication.
It’s too simple to say that all of the medications suddenly stop working because the body becomes accustomed to them. But the reaction to treatment can vary with time.
Medications work differently, and many factors can affect response to treatment. Changes in symptoms, stress, sleep, health, medication use, and other treatments may all be relevant.
If your medication doesn’t seem to be working as well as it should, it’s better to have a professional medication review than try and work out why yourself.
What Should You Do If Your Medication Stops Helping?
Do not change the dose or stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor.
Instead, call your prescribing clinician and tell them what you have noticed.
Before your appointment, consider:
- When did you see the change?
- Which symptoms have come back or gotten worse?
- Do the symptoms feel like the same as before?
- Has your stress level or sleep changed?
- Have you missed any doses?
- Have you started or stopped any other medication or supplements?
- Have you had any new side effects?
- How has your physical health changed?
You don’t have to figure out the cause yourself. These details give your provider a better insight into what you are going through.
What Happens During a Medication Review?
Medication review isn’t just about adding or swapping a prescription.
Your provider may consider your current symptoms, past treatment, medication schedule, side effects, other medications, physical health, and recent life changes.
Depending on what they find, they may recommend that you stay on the medication, change the treatment, try another medication, or add another form of treatment, like psychotherapy.
The objective is to find a method that provides significant advantages to you, taking into account safety, side effects, and your personal requirements.
Related Reading: Who Can Benefit from Medication Management?
Why Increasing the Dose Is Not Always the Answer
When a medication stops working, it can be tempting to think that a higher dose will be the answer.
But it is not always appropriate to increase a dose.
The right choice will depend on the medicine, what you’re treating, what you’re currently taking, side effects, other medicines, and your general health.
Sometimes the provider will adjust the dose. In other cases, they may prescribe a different medication or combine medication with psychotherapy or some other appropriate treatment.
Should You Stop Taking Your Medication?
Generally, you should not stop or change a psychiatric medication without first talking to your prescriber.
Some medications need to be reduced slowly, and stopping some medications suddenly can cause problems.
Tell your provider if your medication is not working anymore or side effects are becoming difficult to deal with. They can explain whether it is appropriate to continue, adjust, switch, or gradually discontinue the medication.
Healizm’s medication management services can help you review your treatment response, side effects, and medication needs with a mental health professional.
When to Seek Urgent Help
If you have severe symptoms or feel you cannot keep yourself safe, get immediate help.
In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you are in immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, dial 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.
The Bottom Line
Just because a psychiatric medication no longer feels effective does not mean treatment has failed.
Symptoms can change. Stress and sleep can impact your mental health. You may also notice changes in the way you feel due to other medications, substances, physical health changes, or inconsistent medication use.
Don’t change your medication yourself; talk to your prescribing clinician about what has changed. A close look at your medicines can help you determine if they may be the cause and if you should continue to take the medicines you are now or change them.
If your psychiatric medication no longer seems to be working like it used to, Healizm can help compassionately guide you as you re-evaluate your mental health needs and determine the right treatment options for you.
FAQs
Why does my psychiatric medication feel like it stopped working?
There are many reasons why this might happen, including changes in symptoms, stress, sleep, medication, other medications, or physical health. A medication review can help to identify what the problem may be.
Can antidepressants stop working?
People’s response to an antidepressant can change, but that doesn’t mean the medication itself has stopped working. Your prescriber can review your symptoms and determine what to do next.
Should I increase my medication if it stops helping?
No. Do not increase your dose without consulting the clinician who prescribed the medication. Raising the dose is not always the best and safest answer.
Should I stop taking psychiatric medication if it no longer helps?
Do not discontinue medication on your own. Some medicines need to be reduced slowly, so check with your prescriber first.
