Depression Treatment Tracker
Track Your Treatment Progress
Monitor your depression symptoms and side effects using validated tools to make informed decisions with your doctor.
When you start an antidepressant, you’re not just hoping it works-you’re hoping it works without making you feel worse. But too often, patients are left guessing. Is the fatigue from the drug, or from depression? Is the lack of interest in life improving, or just numb? Without clear tracking, it’s easy to give up-either because you don’t see progress, or because the side effects feel unbearable.
Why Tracking Matters More Than You Think
About 30-40% of people don’t respond to their first antidepressant. And 74% experience at least one side effect. Yet, in many clinics, the only check-in is a vague question: “How are you feeling?” That’s not enough. A 2022 review in Frontiers in Psychiatry found that using structured tools to track both symptoms and side effects improves remission rates by 50-60%. That’s not a small gain-it’s the difference between staying stuck and finally feeling like yourself again. The key is balance. You need to measure two things at once: how much your mood is improving, and how much your body is struggling. One without the other leads to bad decisions. A doctor might increase your dose because your mood hasn’t improved-but if you’re already dizzy, nauseous, and sexually numb, that’s not the fix. You need data to guide the next step.How to Measure Your Mood Accurately
Forget guessing. Use tools that have been tested and validated. The most common ones are:- PHQ-9: Nine questions, scored from 0 to 27. A score above 15 means moderate to severe depression. Drop below 5? You’re in remission.
- BDI (Beck Depression Inventory): 21 questions, scores up to 63. A 50% drop in your score over 6 weeks is a strong sign the medication is working.
- HDRS: Used more in clinics, this 17- to 30-item scale is detailed but takes longer to complete.
Tracking Side Effects: What No One Tells You
Side effects aren’t just “dry mouth” or “drowsiness.” They’re life-changing. Sexual dysfunction affects 61% of people on SSRIs-and many stop taking their meds because no one asked about it. Weight gain, brain zaps, emotional blunting, insomnia, tremors-these aren’t side notes. They’re deal-breakers. The Antidepressant Side-Effect Checklist (ASEC) lists 15 common issues and asks you to rate each from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely severe). Keep a simple log: every morning, write down what you’re feeling. Did you sleep? Were you anxious? Did sex feel flat? Did your hands shake? Over time, patterns emerge. Maybe the nausea fades after week 3, but the emotional numbness gets worse. That’s critical info for your doctor. Don’t wait for your appointment to mention it. Write it down the day it happens. Bring your log. You’re not being annoying-you’re helping them make better choices.
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: The Hidden Tool
Here’s something most patients don’t know: your blood can tell you if your antidepressant is working at the right level. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) measures how much of the drug is in your bloodstream. It’s not magic-it’s science. Many people take their pills exactly as prescribed but still don’t improve. Why? Their body might metabolize the drug too fast-or too slow. A 2022 study found that 50-70% of people who don’t respond to antidepressants have drug levels below the therapeutic range. That doesn’t mean they’re noncompliant. It means their body needs a different dose. TDM uses a simple blood test. Results come back showing exact concentrations in nanograms per milliliter. For example, sertraline’s therapeutic range is 50-200 ng/mL. If you’re at 30 ng/mL, doubling your dose might help. If you’re at 250 ng/mL, you’re at risk of toxicity. The catch? It’s not widely used. Only 8-12% of antidepressant prescriptions include TDM, even though guidelines say it should be used in up to 35% of cases. Ask your doctor. If they say no, ask why. It’s not expensive-$50 to $150 per test-and it can save months of trial and error.What Works for Real People
On Reddit’s r/mentalhealth, thousands of people share their stories. One user, u/AnxiousEngineer, said: “My psychiatrist asked ‘how are you feeling?’ after nine months on sertraline. I had no idea what to say.” That’s the norm. But others found their way out. A 2023 study in JMIR Formative Research followed 185 people who used Moodfit to track daily mood (1-10 scale) and side effects. Those who logged consistently had 32% better adherence. Why? Because they saw trends. “I noticed my anxiety spiked every time I skipped breakfast,” one wrote. “I started eating protein in the morning-and my mood stabilized.” Another patient tracked her PHQ-9 scores weekly. At week 4, she was at 18. At week 8, she was at 11. Her doctor thought she wasn’t improving. But she showed the graph. “I’m not better yet,” she said, “but I’m on a path.” That’s the power of data.What to Do If You’re Not Getting Better
If you’ve been on an antidepressant for 6-8 weeks and your PHQ-9 score hasn’t dropped by at least 50%, you’re not responding. That’s not failure-it’s information. Now you know what to do next:- Review your side effect log. Are the side effects worse than your depression? If yes, switching might be better than adding more meds.
- Check your drug levels with TDM. Are you in the therapeutic range?
- Revisit your goals. Are you trying to “feel happy,” or “get out of bed by 8 a.m.,” or “call my mom once a week”? Specific goals are easier to measure.
- Ask about alternatives: bupropion (lower sexual side effects), mirtazapine (better for sleep), or even non-drug options like TMS or therapy.
The Role of Your Doctor-and How to Talk to Them
Doctors are busy. But they’re also trained to use tools like PHQ-9 and ASEC. If yours doesn’t, it’s not because they don’t care-it’s because they haven’t been trained or supported. Bring your logs. Say: “I’ve been tracking my mood and side effects. Here’s what I’ve seen. Can we look at this together?” That shifts the conversation from vague feelings to actionable data. Ask: “Do you use standardized scales in your practice?” If they say no, ask: “Would you be open to using PHQ-9 every two weeks?” Most will agree. If they resist, it’s a red flag. The American Psychiatric Association updated its guidelines in June 2024 to say: Systematic monitoring of both efficacy and side effects is required at every stage of treatment. You have a right to this. Use it.What’s Coming Next
The future of monitoring is faster, smarter, and more personal. In January 2024, the FDA cleared Rejoyn, the first digital therapeutic app that requires weekly PHQ-9 completion as part of treatment. AI models are being trained to predict non-response by analyzing clinical notes-some are already 78% accurate at week 2. Pharmacogenetic testing (like GeneSight) is becoming more common. It looks at your genes to predict how you’ll metabolize certain drugs. A 2023 study in JAMA Psychiatry found it reduced side effects by 30% and improved response by 20% in just 8 weeks. Digital tools are booming. The antidepressant monitoring market is projected to hit $1.2 billion by 2027. But the most powerful tool is still you-tracking your own experience, speaking up, and demanding better care.Start Today: Your 5-Step Action Plan
1. Download a free PHQ-9 or BDI form from the American Psychiatric Association’s website. Print it. 2. Start a side effect log in your phone or notebook. Note: sleep, appetite, energy, sexual function, anxiety, tremors, nausea. 3. Complete your first PHQ-9 today. Write the date and score. Keep it. 4. Ask your doctor: “Do you use PHQ-9 or ASEC in your practice?” If not, suggest it. 5. Ask about TDM: “Could my drug levels be checked? I want to make sure I’m getting the right dose.” You don’t need to wait for your next appointment. You don’t need to suffer in silence. You have the tools. You have the right. Track your progress. Speak up. Your recovery depends on it.How often should I track my mood and side effects?
Track your mood using a tool like PHQ-9 every two weeks during the first 8-12 weeks of treatment. After that, monthly is fine if you’re stable. Track side effects daily in a simple log-just note what you’re feeling each morning. This helps spot patterns and gives your doctor real data to work with.
Can I rely on my feelings alone to know if the antidepressant is working?
No. Depression distorts perception. You might feel like nothing’s changing when you’re actually improving slowly. Or you might think you’re getting worse because of a bad day. Structured tools like PHQ-9 or BDI remove guesswork. They give you objective benchmarks. A 50% drop in your score over 6 weeks is a reliable sign of response.
What if my doctor says therapeutic drug monitoring isn’t necessary?
Ask why. TDM is recommended for treatment-resistant depression, patients on multiple meds, or those with side effects that don’t match their dose. A 2022 study showed 50-70% of non-responders have subtherapeutic drug levels. If your doctor refuses without explanation, consider seeking a second opinion from a psychiatrist who uses evidence-based monitoring.
Are digital apps like Moodfit reliable for tracking?
Yes, for self-monitoring. Apps like Moodfit and Sanvello help you stay consistent and spot trends. But they’re not replacements for clinical tools like PHQ-9 or ASEC. Use them as supplements. Studies show they improve adherence and mood tracking-but paper or digital versions of validated scales still have higher reliability for clinical decisions.
How do I know if I should switch antidepressants?
If you’ve been on the same antidepressant for 6-8 weeks and your PHQ-9 score hasn’t dropped by at least 50%, it’s time to consider a change. Also, if side effects are worse than your depression-like severe sexual dysfunction, constant nausea, or emotional numbness-switching may be better than enduring them. Don’t wait until you feel hopeless. Use your data to make the call with your doctor.
Can I stop taking my antidepressant if the side effects are too bad?
Never stop abruptly. Sudden discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms like brain zaps, dizziness, or rebound anxiety. Instead, talk to your doctor. Use your side effect log to show exactly what’s happening. Together, you can create a safe taper plan or switch to a different medication with fewer side effects. Your safety matters more than staying on a drug that harms you.
George Clark-Roden
November 4, 2025 AT 15:45It’s funny how we’ve turned healing into a spreadsheet.
One minute you’re trying to get out of bed, the next you’re calculating PHQ-9 scores like they’re stock market trends.
I get it-data helps. But what happens when the numbers say you’re improving, but your soul still feels like a hollowed-out tree?
I tracked everything. Every morning, every night. Mood. Sleep. Sex drive. Brain zaps.
My score dropped 12 points over eight weeks.
My doctor said, “You’re responding.”
I said, “I feel like I’m watching myself die in slow motion, and someone’s taking notes.”
There’s a difference between clinical improvement and human recovery.
And no algorithm, no app, no blood test can measure the silence between heartbeats when you’re alone at 3 a.m. and realize you don’t miss the depression-you miss the feeling of being alive, even if it hurt.
Maybe we need less tracking-and more permission to just be broken, without having to justify it with a graph.
Abigail Jubb
November 4, 2025 AT 17:55How quaint. You expect people to fill out forms while they’re dissociating? How very 2018 of you. The real issue is that psychiatry still treats mental illness like a software bug you can patch with a blood test and a Likert scale. If only we could just debug our souls with a few clicks. I mean, really-TDM? As if your serotonin levels are somehow more valid than your lived experience. The entire system is a corporate-funded illusion designed to keep people medicated, not healed. Wake up. This isn’t medicine. It’s pharmaceutical theater.
Bonnie Sanders Bartlett
November 6, 2025 AT 08:27I just want to say thank you for writing this. I’ve been on antidepressants for three years and no one ever asked me about side effects until I started writing them down. I didn’t even know emotional numbness was a thing you could track. I thought it was just me being ‘weak.’ Now I show my doctor my log every visit. He actually listens. It’s small, but it’s the first time I’ve felt like a person, not a case number. You’re right-we don’t need to wait for permission to speak up. We just need to start writing.
Marshall Washick
November 6, 2025 AT 22:30George, your comment hit me hard. I’ve been there. The spreadsheet didn’t lie-but it didn’t tell the whole truth either. I improved on paper. I went from 22 to 9 on the PHQ-9. But I still cried in the shower every morning because I didn’t recognize myself. The medication took the edge off the pain, but it also took the edge off everything else-the joy, the anger, the grief. I didn’t want to be numb. I wanted to feel. And that’s not something you can measure. Maybe the goal shouldn’t be ‘remission’-maybe it’s ‘reconnection.’
Lori Johnson
November 8, 2025 AT 09:53So you’re saying if I don’t track my brain zaps, I’m not a good patient? Wow. That’s rich. I’ve been on sertraline for 18 months. My doctor never asked about sex. I never brought it up because I thought it was just me. Turns out, 61% of people feel the same way? And now I’m supposed to feel guilty for not logging it? Who made you the mood police? This isn’t accountability-it’s surveillance. And it’s exhausting.
Hope NewYork
November 9, 2025 AT 15:12lol why do people still believe this crap? TDM? PHQ-9? Please. The FDA cleared an app called Rejoyn? That’s the same company that got fined for hiding side effect data. You think they care about you? They care about profit. Your depression is a subscription model. They want you to keep taking pills forever. Why? Because cures don’t make money. Tracking? That’s just a way to keep you hooked. You think your doctor wants you better? No. They want you to come back next month. And next. And next. Don’t be fooled.
Abha Nakra
November 10, 2025 AT 07:58I’m from India and we don’t have access to most of these tools-but I started writing in a notebook. Just three lines a day: how I slept, if I cried, if I ate. That’s it. No fancy scales. No apps. Just me and a pen. After three months, I saw a pattern: on days I walked outside, I didn’t feel so heavy. I told my doctor. He prescribed light therapy. It changed everything. You don’t need a $150 blood test to find your way back. Sometimes, you just need to notice what’s already there.
Nishigandha Kanurkar
November 12, 2025 AT 00:48Wait-so you’re telling me that if I take a blood test and my levels are low, I should just take MORE drugs? What if my body is rejecting the poison? What if the drug itself is the problem? And who controls the ‘therapeutic range’? Big Pharma, right? They set the numbers. They own the labs. They fund the studies. You think they’d ever say, ‘Hey, maybe this drug doesn’t work for most people’? No. They’d rather you track your brain zaps for the next 20 years. This isn’t science. It’s a cult.
Melissa Delong
November 13, 2025 AT 09:08Let me be clear: if you’re using Moodfit or Sanvello to track your mental health, you’re already part of the problem. These apps collect your data, sell it to insurers, and use it to deny you coverage later. Your PHQ-9 score? It’s not for your doctor. It’s for the algorithm that decides whether you’re ‘high risk.’ They’re not helping you. They’re profiling you. And if you think your doctor is on your side, you’re naive. The system is designed to keep you compliant, not cured. Stop trusting the machine.
Tamara Kayali Browne
November 14, 2025 AT 03:08Let’s be honest: this entire post is a corporate wellness brochure dressed up as advocacy. The 50-60% remission rate increase? That’s from studies funded by app developers and pharma. The ASEC? Never validated in real-world populations outside clinical trials. And TDM? Only useful in a tiny subset of patients. The rest of you are chasing metrics that don’t reflect reality. You’re not empowered-you’re being manipulated into believing that compliance equals healing. The truth? There’s no algorithm for grief. No blood test for loneliness. And no app that can replace human connection. Stop outsourcing your pain to a spreadsheet.