Anyone who’s lived through depression knows that time can feel painfully slow — especially when waiting for medication to take effect.
The first few weeks are often filled with doubt, exhaustion, and the quiet hope that something will finally start to change.
Now, new research suggests that one of the world’s most prescribed antidepressants might offer that glimmer of improvement earlier than expected.
Early shifts in emotional balance
A team of scientists from University College London has discovered that sertraline — commonly known by brand names like Zoloft and Lustral — can ease some of the emotional weight of depression and anxiety within just two weeks.
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By revisiting data from a major clinical trial, the researchers found that symptoms such as sadness, low mood, and self-criticism were among the first to show measurable progress.
This insight comes from a deeper look at how antidepressants affect individual symptoms rather than broad diagnostic categories.
Instead of viewing depression as one large block of distress, the study analyzed how specific emotions responded to treatment — and the results show that change begins earlier than traditional scales suggest.
Understanding symptom patterns
The research team analyzed data from more than 500 participants who had taken part in the original PANDA trial, a large-scale study of people in England experiencing mild to moderate depression.
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Using advanced “network analysis,” they tracked how different emotional and physical symptoms interacted and evolved over time.
While improvements in emotional health appeared within the first two weeks, some physical symptoms — such as tiredness, sleep problems, and reduced libido — initially worsened before stabilizing around the six-week mark.
This suggests that antidepressants may influence different aspects of well-being on different timelines.
The study also reinforces a growing understanding that depression and anxiety are not single, uniform conditions.
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They are dynamic systems, where certain symptoms can trigger or sustain others — for instance, poor sleep feeding into low concentration or self-esteem.
Recognizing these interconnections could shape how future treatments are designed and how progress is measured in clinical care.
Implications for patients and doctors
The findings offer reassurance for patients who might feel discouraged when dramatic improvements don’t happen immediately.
Even modest emotional changes within the first two weeks may indicate that the medication is beginning to work — and that continued use could lead to broader recovery over time.
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Sertraline, part of the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class, remains a cornerstone treatment for depression and anxiety.
This new analysis helps refine how both patients and clinicians understand its timeline of action, making expectations more realistic and treatment decisions more informed.
The study, published in Nature Mental Health, was led by Dr. Giulia Piazza and Professor Glyn Lewis from UCL’s Division of Psychiatry, alongside Professor Jean-Baptiste Pingault from UCL Psychology & Language Sciences.
The article is based on information from ScienceDaily and Nature Mental Health
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