The British Journal of Psychiatry (2006) 188: 105-106. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.105.011692
© 2006 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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EDITORIALS

Two-week delay in onset of action of antidepressants: new evidence

ALEX J. MITCHELL, MRCPsych

Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK

Correspondence: Dr Alex J. Mitchell, Department of Liaison Psychiatry, Brandon Unit, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK. E-mail: alex.mitchell{at}leicspart.nhs.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Summary Many sources purport that antidepressants have a delayed onset of action, measured in weeks rather than days. Recent data using weekly or daily mood ratings demonstrate that maximum improvement occurs during the first 2 weeks, with some improvement within the first 3 days. Methodological issues may underlie the delayed-onset hypothesis.


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