How to support someone who keeps stopping their antidepressants

[Cloudsurfer1]

Hoping for some advice on how to help a friend who is depressed, regularly speaks of suicide, doesn't leave their room and has no semblance of life. They have tried many different antidepressants over the last 6 months but never get beyond a couple of weeks at most due to side effects. My feeling is that if they could continue on them for longer they might actually work but what approach should I take? Gently supporting them at their own pace or a more assertive approach, booking GP appointments for them etc.

I guess I don't know whether it's a case of waiting for my friend to accept the need the antidepressants (while I support and encourage) or stepping up to take more of a handhold but strongly guided role. They feel alone, and completely lost.

They have to want to help themselves and there is no guarantee of them following the advice, so only give as much as you can afford to if that makes sense. You are right it can take 6+ weeks for medication to work.

Presumably their doctor is allowing hem to keep changing - this seems odd and not in their patients best interest. It can take 6-8 weeks for the antidepressants to be fully in your system. Depending on how close you are to your friend, I would put it to them straight. It’s either put up with a few weeks of side effects to wear off, or feel shit every single day.