Navigating Antidepressant Prescriptions

This chapter delves into the criteria for prescribing antidepressants, focusing on the importance of evaluating severity, family history, and the risks associated with discontinuing medication. It highlights the efficacy of SSRIs, their benefits over older classes of antidepressants, and the complexities of treating various forms of depression, including severe cases. The discussion also emphasizes careful monitoring, especially in vulnerable populations like adolescents, balancing the risk of increased suicidality with the need for effective treatment.