Is There A Happy Pill? SSRIs & Antidepressants

You may have heard of a "happy pill" or a "magic cure" to change your mood or get rid of struggles instantly, such as prescription drugs like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These concepts may be comforting for those who believe there is no hope for their symptoms. Although many mental health treatments are available, including medication, there is not a one-time ‘cure-all’ treatment method. Talking to your doctor or mental health practitioner can be valuable in these cases, as not everyone responds to antidepressants in the same way, and other treatments may be more suitable for different individuals.

Determining the cause of your mood

Understanding the cause of your underlying symptoms can be beneficial in finding a treatment. Many individuals who find themselves struggling to feel happy may be experiencing a condition called depression. Depression is characterized by:

• Involving persistent sadness
• Loss of interest
• Changes in energy level, among other symptoms

At times, depression accompanies irritability or feelings of anger.

High levels of stress or fear

Depression is not the only condition that impacts mood and mental health. If you're dealing with high levels of stress or fear, you might also struggle to feel happy. Some individuals experience a long-term mental health condition, such as an anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, or stress-related condition. You might have the sense of being consumed by worrying thoughts or stressful physical sensations.

Physical health concerns can also affect mood

Physical health symptoms may also be a common cause of stress or feeling unhappy. Chronic health conditions can include anxiety, stress, or depression as symptoms or side effects. In some cases, prolonged stress can contribute to physical illness. If you are preoccupied with health struggles, you might find maintaining a positive outlook or mood challenging. You might want to feel happy but aren't sure how.

Life stress, transitions, or change

In some cases, unhappiness may be caused by life stress, transitions, or change. You might not be experiencing a mental health condition in every case. Speaking to a mental health practitioner or primary care physician who can refer you to the proper testing, if necessary, can be beneficial.

Happy pills and antidepressants: Medication for happy mental health outcomes

Although there may not be one "happy pill" to fix everything, many individuals take medications like antidepressants to manage symptoms of mental health conditions, such as depression. These medications may help some people with conditions like anxiety and depression improve mood, manage stress, or increase energy levels. Before starting, stopping, or changing medication, consult a medical doctor, such as a psychiatrist or a general practitioner.

*Medication is prescribed only when clinically appropriate and is not guaranteed. Pricing, availability, insurance coverage, and copays vary by plan, location, and provider availability are not guaranteed.

Antidepressants, commonly used to treat depression, may improve mood for some individuals by affecting neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain. Emotional health can be influenced by many biological, psychological, and social factors, and medication response varies from person to person.

Patients diagnosed with depression are often prescribed FDA-approved antidepressants by physicians. For those experiencing another mental health condition, such as anxiety or other diagnosis, medications such as anti-anxiety medications may be discussed when clinically appropriate. Some medications may reduce nightmares, affect libido, improve energy levels, or help individuals fall asleep.

While medications do not work for everyone and carry some risks, medications can benefit many people. They may not work immediately or reduce every symptom, however. Talk to your doctor to find out if prescription medication would benefit you.

The BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not take any action (including starting, stopping, or changing medications) without consulting a qualified medical professional.

Are there risks when taking medications to boost happiness?

In some cases, antidepressants do not work for everyone. Some individuals may try several medications before finding one that helps. Additionally, if there was a misdiagnosis, antidepressants may not work at all. You may wait four to six weeks to find out if a medication benefits you, which means medications are often not an immediate treatment for mood concerns and may be best used alongside other treatment options.

Often, medications, including those used to treat mental health conditions, come with a list of potential side effects that may be harmful. Although antidepressants and other common mental health medications are often safe, side effects could vary between individuals and medications. Common mild antidepressant side effects can include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Weight gain

In some cases, especially early in treatment or after dose changes, people may experience side effects, which can include worsening agitation, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, which should be discussed with a clinician right away. Talk with your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist if you experience distressing side effects after starting or changing a medication. Many physicians may also have you sign a release for your counselor and the prescribing doctor to communicate about your treatment plan.

Can you experience withdrawal symptoms from a drug you take for a mental health condition?

Yes, you can experience a number of symptoms if you stop taking antidepressants and other medications. Talk to your doctor before making any changes to the medications you take.

Other piloted forms of treatment to achieve happiness

Although medications like “happy pills” can be effective, they may be best utilized alongside other forms of treatment, such as therapy. For example, studies show that combined treatment methods can be most effective for conditions such as major depressive disorder and anxiety. Additionally, medications may not benefit everyone, and medication is not always the answer. In these cases, other forms of treatment may benefit you, to include treatments such as psychotherapy and ECT, or supplementary lifestyle approaches like exercise, mindfulness, yoga, massage, etc.

If you're unsure about a particular method's effectiveness, talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement or treatment, as some methods may have risks.

Promoting happiness through therapy

Therapy is often a key treatment for common mental health conditions like depression. Therapy may be effective in helping you determine the cause of a low mood and what you can do to improve your situation. A therapist may also provide homework, helpful resources, and therapeutic coping mechanisms to use at home alongside medical treatments. You can consider therapy as an alternative or supplement to medications. Talk to a doctor to determine whether medication may be helpful for you alongside therapy.

Meditation and mindfulness

Studies show that mindfulness and meditation can improve mood. They may help you learn to control your thoughts, focus on the present moment, and reduce stress. Additionally, research indicates that ten minutes of meditation or mindfulness can support mood and stress management for some.

Journaling can also be a form of meditation. This technique can be used to relieve stress safely. Studies show that journaling and expressive writing can be a reflective stress-management practice.

Counseling options - Finding happiness in daily habits

There are many counseling options within the therapy sphere. Online platforms like BetterHelp allow you to attend sessions from home and choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions. Online counseling could be rewarding if you are busy, do not have insurance, or want to find a flexible treatment form. BetterHelp’s flexible subscription model allows users to receive quality care from an extensive therapist network, with subscriptions around $70-$100/week. In some states, BetterHelp may be covered by your insurance plan — co-pays average about $19/week for eligible members. *Coverage varies by plan, provider, and therapist availability.

BetterHelp now offers psychiatry services through UpLift as an additional care option alongside therapy. Psychiatry services may include psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management when clinically appropriate, based on a licensed psychiatric provider’s assessment. Medication availability and coverage may vary by member location, clinical appropriateness, and individual pharmacy/insurance benefits. Prescribing decisions are made by the treating clinicians. We do not guarantee that any specific medication will be prescribed or covered by a member’s insurance plan.

A report in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry thoroughly outlines the case for the efficacy of internet-based counseling. The study cited several trials in which online platforms were found to be beneficial, noting that the benefits include decreased cost and increased availability. The overarching advantage of online therapy, as opposed to face-to-face counseling, was determined to be availability.

Consider contacting an online therapist if you are living with a mood disorder or experiencing distressing symptoms. Several platforms are available, including BetterHelp. You can peruse a vast database of counselors specializing in various subjects and conditions.