Recommend psychopharmacologic treatments and describe specific and therapeutic endpoints for your psychopharmacologic agent.

If a client is suffering from Major Depressive Disorder, with suicidal ideas I will recommend sertraline. This drug works by increasing serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood. Serotonin can reduce the feelings of despair and hopelessness associated with depression. It has also been proven to reduce common symptoms of MDD such as insomnia and lack of appetite.

Sertraline’s therapeutic goals include a decrease in suicidality, improved mood, and better overall function. Depending on the severity of symptoms this can take anywhere from 6-8 weeks; therefore, it’s important to monitor patient status regularly during this period so that any potential side effects may be addressed quickly if they arise.  It should also be noted that although some people notice improvements after only a few weeks there are others who experience no change until later on—therefore patience is key when it comes to treatment outcomes.