Citation

Jackson E, Endow-Eyer RA. Ment. Health Clin. 2014; 4(5): 221-225.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists)

DOI

10.9740/mhc.n207175

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Major depressive disorder is a serious, recurrent condition with significant impact on a person's quality of life and functioning, which carries a significant risk of premature death due to suicide. There is evidence that supports the effectiveness of lithium as an augmentation strategy for treatment-resistant depression, as well as for reducing suicidality in this population. This review introduces several theories regarding the proposed mechanism behind lithium's anti-suicidal effects and summarizes a selection of the pertinent literature supporting lithium's beneficial effects on suicidality. © 2014 Mental Health Clinician. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide; depression; lithium; major depressive disorder (MDD)