Suicidal Risk Emerging During Antidepressant Treatment: Recognition and Intervention

This article reviews current understanding of risks of adverse behavioural responses to antidepressant treatment. A series of 10 illustrative cases is reported after briefly reviewing the relevant research literature. In each case, rapid improvement followed recognition of the problem, stopping or curtailing antidepressant treatment or with the addition or substitution of another drug. The authors suggest risk- or early-warning factors to aid in the recognition of such reactions as well as means of limiting their danger. It is also proposed that they be considered manifestations of a recognizable cluster of symptoms in which suicidality is not an isolated phenomenon. (35 refs.)