WHAT HAPPENS WHEN...You take medication for depression

From possible side effects to feeling the benefits, here's what to expect

- AL HORSFALL

As awareness of mental health improves and we better understand depression as an illness, an increasing number of women are taking medication to support their recovery - antidepressant use in England has risen by 22% in the last five years, according to NHS figures. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the class of drugs most commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe depression - if they're an option that could help you, here's what you should know before starting a course of treatment.

1 YOUR GP WILL DISCUSS DOSE AND DURATION