The role of professionals in prevention and education about self-medication

One of the major challenges in the management of depressive disorders, especially severe and refractory ones, is the tendency of some patients to self-medicate, either with psychotropic drugs or with “natural” supplements without medical supervision.

Here, the role of the mental health professional is essential not only from a therapeutic perspective, but also as an educator and guide in the responsible use of medications.

While there are multiple therapeutic options for treating depression, none of them should be pursued without prior clinical evaluation and rigorous follow-up.

Psychoeducation as a fundamental tool

Psychoeducation plays a crucial role in preventing self-medication, especially in patients with severe depressive disorders, where hopelessness or chronic symptoms can lead them to seek “quick fixes” on their own.

It is the direct responsibility of the treating professional to inform patients about the side effects of certain drugs (such as weight gain, changes in sexual desire, or risk of sedation), as well as the need for adherence to the appropriate treatment schedule.

In many cases, patients discontinue medication before achieving therapeutic benefit, which can reinforce the perception of ineffectiveness and encourage new inappropriate decisions.

Detection of risk factors for self-medication

Healthcare professionals should be alert to clinical signs indicating possible unsupervised use of medications or substances with supposed antidepressant effects, such as magnesium, vitamin complexes, tryptophan, or even controlled drugs obtained without a prescription.

They should also pay special attention to the use of so-called “Z drugs,” such as zolpidem and similar compounds, commonly used to induce sleep but with a high risk of dependence. Similarly, some antidepressants are used without professional supervision, compromi