The Risk of Agitated Depression

Clinically, agitated depression is an unstable condition that can lead to violence against self or others more frequently. A number of reports cited in the following sections will mention agitation in patients who behave abnormally as a result of antidepressant effects. 

Koukopoulos and Koukopoulos (1999) provided a remarkable discussion of varied manifestations of agitated depression and suggested that it should be viewed as a separate diagnostic entity called mixed depression. They warned about the risk of giving antidepressants to patients with agitated depressions  

Today s extensive use of antidepressant drugs in the treatment of all forms of depression makes the question of the real nature of agitated depression a critical issue. Many of these patients are seen to have such 

In other words, antidepressants can worsen agitated depression. 

Koukopoulos and Koukopoulos (1999) proposed a definition of agitated depression as a major depressive episode with one of the following motor agitation, psychic agitation or intense inner tension, and racing or crowded thoughts. This condition, which has also been referred to as black mania, can worsen dramatically under the effect of antidepressants.  

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