One of the most common questions I hear: "How long until I feel better?"

The honest answer is that it depends—on the medication, the condition, and what "better" means to you. But I can give you realistic timelines so you know what to expect.

Antidepressants: 2-6 weeks for mood, faster for other symptoms

If you're starting an SSRI or SNRI for depression or anxiety, the conventional wisdom is that it takes 4-6 weeks to see the full effect on mood.

That's true, but it's not the whole picture.

Some symptoms improve earlier. Sleep often stabilizes within the first week or two. Anxiety may begin to ease before mood lifts. Energy and motivation sometimes shift before the emotional heaviness does.

Other symptoms take longer. The deep, pervasive sadness of major depression can be slow to budge. Anhedonia—the inability to feel pleasure—is often one of the last things to improve.

If you've felt nothing after 4-6 weeks at an adequate dose, that's useful information. It doesn't mean medication won't work; it means this particular medication at this particular dose isn't the answer, and we adjust.

Anti-anxiety medications: varies widely

Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) work within 30-60 minutes. That's why they're useful for acute panic but problematic for long-term use—fast relief creates its own problems.

Buspirone, a non-addictive alternative, takes 2-4 weeks to reach full effect. It's subtle. Patients often don't notice it working until they realize they've been less anxious for a while.

SSRIs and SNRIs prescribed for anxiety disorders follow the same timeline as for depression: 2-6 weeks, with some symptoms improving before others.

Mood stabilizers: 1-2 weeks for acute episodes, longer for full stabilization

Lithium and valproate can begin to control manic symptoms within a week, sometimes faster. But finding the right dose—one that controls symptoms without intolerable side effects—takes longer.

For bipolar depression, lamotrigine requires a slow titration over 6-8 weeks to minimize the risk of serious rash. Patience is non-negotiable.

Once you're on a stable regimen, the goal shifts from acute symptom control to relapse prevention. That's a longer game, measured in months and years.

Antipsychotics: days to weeks depending on the indication

For acute psychosis or severe mania, antipsychotics can produce noticeable improvement within days. Agitation often settles first; delusions and hallucinations take longer to fully resolve.

When antipsychotics are used as adjuncts for depression or anxiety, the timeline is similar to other medications in those categories: a few weeks to assess response.

Stimulants for ADHD: same day

This is the exception to the "wait and see" rule. Stimulant medications like Adderall and Vyvanse work within hours of the first dose. If the dose is right, you'll know.

The challenge isn't waiting for effect—it's fine-tuning. Finding the right medication, dose, and timing takes trial and adjustment. But you don't have to wait weeks to know if you're on the right track.

What "working" actually means

Medication rarely makes symptoms disappear. A more realistic goal: reduction in severity and frequency, enough to function better and feel more like yourself.

If your depression was an 8 out of 10 and now it's a 4, that's working—even if you're not at zero. If you're having panic attacks twice a week instead of daily, that's progress.

Perfection isn't the standard. Meaningful improvement is.

When to reassess

If you've been on a medication for the expected timeframe at an adequate dose and you're not seeing benefit, say so. We have options: increase the dose, switch medications, add something, or reconsider the diagnosis.

What doesn't help is waiting in silence, hoping it will kick in eventually. Your feedback is clinical data. I need it to adjust the plan.

The bigger picture

Medication is one tool. For many conditions, it works best alongside therapy, lifestyle changes, and attention to sleep, exercise, and stress.

If you're starting medication and wondering whether it's working, track your symptoms. Notice what's better, what's worse, what's unchanged. That information shapes what we do next.

And if you're not sure whether to start medication at all, that's a conversation worth having. Not everyone needs it. But for those who do, understanding the timeline makes the process less frustrating.

Dr. Faisal Rafiq is a board-certified psychiatrist offering private, membership-based care in New York. To learn more, visit Private Psych MD.