Happy Holidays

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season. I'll be back to the blog in the new year. Cheers!

New depression warning

The FDA is considering whether to add to the warning labels on antidepressant medications. The new warnings could include a caution that the medications run some risk of actually increasing suicidal thoughts in the short term. ABC News offers a good deal more information on the warnings and what they really mean.

This is not news to most mental health practitioners, nor should it be a major concern to those starting medication. The risks are greatest among those with the most severe depression, as they begin the "upward curve" of depression -- where they are still low enough to feel hopeless, yet are also experiencing a burst of energy. To be blunt, it's as though life is still awful, only now they have the strength to do something about it.

The take-home message from all of this is simple: If you start a course of medication for depression, stay in frequent contact with your doctor. And of course, if you are feeling suicidal (no matter what the reason), seek immediate help by calling 911 or your local crisis line.