A tutorial on counselling patients on the side effects of taking antidepressant medication

1. EXPLAINING ANTIDEPRESSANT
MEDICATION
DR AYAT ALI, MBBS

2. CHECKLIST
• Empathy
• Explain depression
• Explain need for medication
• Mechanism of action
• Clinical course
• Other uses of anti-depressants
• S/E

3. EXPLANATION
• Antidepressants used to increase levels of hormone that control mood.
• Effectiveness of SSRI: About 5-7 in 10 patients with depression improve
within a few weeks of starting treatment with antidepressants.
• But 3-4 out of 10 improve with placebo.
• However this means that SSRIs are almost twice as effective as placebo.

4. CLINICAL COURSE WITH SSRI
• SSRIs can tale 2-4 weeks to build up its effect and work fully. Some
people stop after 1 week thinking that treatment is not helping.
• Normal course of SSRI may last up to 6 months after symptoms have
stopped.
• Sudden withdrawal may result in the resumption of symptoms.
• Important: To follow instructions re dose as prescribed.

5. ANTIDEPRESSANTS ARE EFFECTIVE IN TREATING
A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ILLNESSES:
•Anxiety
•Panic attacks
•OCD
•Chronic pain
•Eating disorders
•PTSD

6. EXPLAIN SIDE EFFECTS
Minor:
-dirrhoea, nausea , vomiting , headache
-drowsiness
-sexual dysfunction
Suicidal behaviour
-link between SSRIs and feeling suicidal
-advise to see doctor if you become anxious, restless, agitated.

7. SSRIS ?ADDICTIVE
• Not addictive. Can easily be stopped.
• May experience ‘withdrawal symptoms’ if stopped
suddenly.
• Such symptoms include: anxiety, agitation, dizziness, flulike symptoms, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, pins &
needles, nausea, mood swings and low mood.

8. CLOSURE
• Invite questions
• Check patient’s understanding
• Summarises

9. THANK YOU
Ayat.ali@nhs.net

10. THANK YOU
Ayat.ali@nhs.net