Depression Antidepressants and Suicide Risk

Depression, Antidepressants, and Suicide Risk

In depression treatment, the risk for suicide increases when patients begin taking antidepressants. The risk appears to be highest in the first month of antidepressant treatment, and appears to be higher when older antidepressants are used, compared to newer medications.

For this Discussion, consider what you have explored in this course so far about pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosing, side effects, and the neurotransmitter systems.

Post by Day 4 an explanation for the correlation between drug treatment with antidepressants and suicide risk. Explain how this risk might be ameliorated. Also, be sure to address all antidepressant classes, as well as herbal medications. Finally, cite specific knowledge you have gained in this course so far about pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosing, side effects, and the neurotransmitter systems.

READINGS

• Advokat, C. D., & Comaty, J. E., & Julien, R. M. (2019). Julien’s primer of drug action: A comprehensive guide to the actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs (14th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers/Macmillan.
  • Chapter 12, “Antidepressant Drugs” (pp. 433-478)

• Lichtblau, L. (2011). Psychopharmacology demystified (1st ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar/Cengage Learning.
  • Chapter 2, “Pharmacotherapy of Depression” (pp. 21–36)
• Hancock, S. D, & McKim, W. A. (2018). Drugs and behavior: An introduction to behavioral pharmacology (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
  • Chapter 13, “Antidepressants” (pp. 291-306)

• Niv, N., Shatkin, J., Hamilton, A., Unützer, J., Klap, R., & Young, A. (2010). The Use of Herbal Medications and Dietary Supplements by People with Mental Illness. Community Mental Health Journal, 46(6), 563-569. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Spinella, M. (2001). The psychopharmacology of herbal medicine: Plant drugs that alter mind, brain, and behavior. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
  • Chapter 7, “Psychotherapeutic Herbs” (pp. 233–240 & 243–273)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health. (2013, March). Depression.Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
• White, K. P. (2009). What psychologists should know about homeopathy, nutrition, and botanical medicine. Professional Psychology: Research And Practice, 40(6), 633-640. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.