How To Treat a Patient with Depressive Episodes and Suicidal Thoughts

By Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD | 11 February 2008
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Clinical psychologist Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD, offers replies to reader questions submitted anonymously to Ask the Psychologist.

More on depression

More on therapy

Reader’s Question

Q:

How to treat a patient with depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts?

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

A:

  1. Help the patient recognize the symptoms of depression. Discuss the symptoms at length with the patient and assure them that depression is a stress-produced brain chemistry issue — not their fault and not due to their behavior.
  2. Educate the patient about the symptoms of depression and treatment options.
  3. If suicidal thoughts are strong, recommend immediate consultation with a psychiatrist or mental health professional. If none are available, refer to the Emergency Room for treatment.
  4. Recommend what is researched as the “treatment of choice” in depression which is a combination of antidepressant medication and counseling/therapy.
  5. Encourage treatment programs and monitor their progress.
  6. Encourage patient to learn more about depression for future reference.

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About the Author: A Clinical Psychologist with 36 years in the field, Dr Carver is currently in practice in southern Ohio in the US. He became Consulting Psychologist with CounsellingResource.com in 2007.

This article was last reviewed by Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD on Monday, 11th February 2008. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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