Clinical QuickieBehavioral Health
Anxiety / Depression Medication Basics
Before treating 'depression,' make sure antidepressant monotherapy is actually the right pathway.
Screen for bipolar-spectrum history
Past decreased need for sleep, episodic elevated/irritable mood, impulsivity, grandiosity, or unusual goal-directed activity matters before starting antidepressants.
SSRIs/SNRIs are not interchangeable
Side-effect profile, sleep, pain, sexual effects, BP, weight, interactions, pregnancy considerations, prior response, and withdrawal profile affect selection.
Set the timeline expectation
Meaningful improvement takes weeks. Early nausea or activation does not automatically mean the medication failed.
Stopping/switching requires a plan
Discontinuation syndromes, serotonergic overlap, half-life, and patient sensitivity should shape tapering or switching.
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