Intro

In this episode, Dr. Andy Cutler and Dr. Jeff Strawn unpack common misconceptions that complicate real-world use of antidepressants. They review evidence on efficacy, suicidality risk, mechanisms, and early side effects, and discuss how to navigate hesitancy and misinformation. The conversation also addresses when to start medication, how to balance caution with timely intervention in youth, and practical ways to strengthen trust and therapeutic alliance.

Jeffrey R. Strawn, MD, FAACAP, is a Professor of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Clinical & Translational Pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati (UC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the Director of the UC Anxiety Disorders Research Program and the Associate Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience at UC.

Andrew J. Cutler, MD, is a distinguished psychiatrist and researcher with extensive experience in clinical trials and psychopharmacology. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer of Neuroscience Education Institute and EMA Wellness. He is a Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.

Resources

Zhang K et al. Functional connectivity predicting transdiagnostic treatment outcomes in internalizing psychopathologies. JAMA Netw Open 2025;8(9):e2530008. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.30008

Lagerberg T et al. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and suicidal behaviour: a population-based cohort study. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022;47(4):817-23. doi: 10.1038/s41386-021-01179-z

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