J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.
2022 Nov;61(4):254-260. 10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.4.254.
“Drugs of Abuse” as “New Antidepressants”: - Medical and Philosophical Considerations in Treatment
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- 2Department of Human Systems Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 3Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- 4Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
- KMID: 2536664
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2022.61.4.254
Abstract
- Recently, drugs with a potential for abuse are regaining attention as antidepressants. These drugs are mood enhancers and reduce negative feelings. Therefore, they can be effective in the treatment of depression. However, mood enhancement is insufficient for the real improvement of depressive symptoms. Additionally, treating depression using drugs with dependency risks raises concerns regarding autonomy issues. In this article, the authors discuss issues that a psychiatrist should consider when prescribing “drugs of abuse” as antidepressants from medical, philosophical, and legal perspectives. The limitations of the current psychiatric diagnosis system in depression, questions concerning pleasure-seeking with antidepressants, dilemmas with autonomy, and problems of enhancement are discussed.
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