Augmentation
also known as Augmentation strategy
Medically reviewed by the Shrinkopedia editorial team, led by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA.
1 min read · 166 words
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Augmentation is a term of clinical practice, not a mechanism. When a first-line medication is helping but not enough, a clinician can either switch to a different agent or add a second one that works differently. The second-agent path is augmentation. Common examples in depression include adding lithium or a low-dose second-generation antipsychotic to an SSRI, or adding thyroid hormone (T3). Where it shows up in Shrinkopedia's coverage: treatment-resistant depression, bipolar depression, and OCD.
Where this term appears in Shrinkopedia
- Treatment-resistant depression coverage names augmentation as one of three options (augment, switch, advanced treatment like ECT or ketamine).
- The SSRIs entry references lithium and atypical antipsychotic augmentation for depression that is only partially responding.
- The OCD entry covers atypical antipsychotic augmentation of high-dose SSRIs when Y-BOCS response is inadequate.
For the plain-language definition of the word itself, see augmentation on Shrinktionary, the network's canonical language layer.
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Augmentation. Shrinkopedia, medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA. https://shrinkopedia.com/terms/augmentation/- APA
Shrinkopedia. (2026, July 11). Augmentation. Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA. https://shrinkopedia.com/terms/augmentation/- MLA
"Augmentation." Shrinkopedia, 11 July 2026, https://shrinkopedia.com/terms/augmentation/.
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