Could Dissemination of Effective Psychotherapies Prevent Antidepressant Contamination of Water and Aquatic Organisms?

Publication Date

6-2016

Document Type

Article

Volume

8

Issue

2

Abstract

Antidepressants are the most widely prescribed psychotropic medication. Consequently, antidepressants and their degradates have a ubiquitous presence in wastewater-impacted environments. The accumulation of antidepressants in waterways appears to be impacting nontarget organisms that live in these environments, such as fish and amphibians. However, psychotherapies that are effective and environmentally friendly exist for the most common diagnoses for which antidepressants are prescribed. Widespread dissemination of effective psychotherapies will reduce existing levels and impacts of antidepressants in the environment and prevent or reduce future contamination in waterways and nontarget organisms.

Keywords

antidepressant, pharmaceuticals, psychotherapy, dissemination, environment

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