Network analysis reveals sertraline selectively improves emotional depression symptoms within 14 days while physical manifestations require longer treatment periods. This differential response pattern suggests antidepressants operate through distinct neurobiological pathways rather than uniform mood elevation mechanisms. The finding challenges the conventional narrative that SSRIs require 4-6 weeks for therapeutic benefits, indicating emotional circuits may be more rapidly modifiable than somatic depression networks. For adults managing mood disorders, this research validates early emotional improvements as genuine therapeutic signals rather than placebo effects. The selective action on emotional versus physical symptoms aligns with emerging precision psychiatry approaches that recognize depression's heterogeneous nature. However, the study's observational design limits causal inference, and individual response variability remains substantial. This temporal dissociation between symptom domains could inform treatment expectations and adherence strategies. While confirmatory rather than groundbreaking, the work provides mechanistic insight into SSRI pharmacodynamics that may guide dosing protocols and patient counseling. The research supports maintaining treatment despite delayed physical symptom resolution, as emotional improvements appear to represent distinct therapeutic progress rather than incomplete response.