Use of antidepressant medication following acquired brain injury: concise guidance

Abstract

Depression is increasingly recognised as a common sequel to acquired brain injury and the use of antidepressant medication in this context has increased markedly over recent years. However, these drugs are not without side effects – some of them serious – and they should not be used without proper evaluation and monitoring. This set of concise guidance was developed jointly by the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine, the British Geriatrics Society and the Royal College of Physicians, to guide clinicians working with people who have brain injury of any cause (ie stroke, trauma, anoxia, infection etc). The guidance covers (a) screening and assessment of depression in the context of brain injury, (b) issues to consider and discuss with the patient and their family before starting treatment, and (c) proper treatment planning and evaluation – including planned withdrawal at the end of treatment.