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Antidepressants and Suicide

Teenage Depression and Suicide Rates are Increasing

Sep 11, 2007 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

What researchers have learned in their studies of antidepressants and teens; they're trying to discover if antidepressants increase teenage depression and suicide rates.

The latest research shows that "the overall effect of these newer antidepressants is very likely that they reduce suicide risk considerably," says Dr Hendricks Brown. He investigated the possible link between antidepressants and suicide when a previous study revealed that teens who take antidepressants are more likely to commit suicide.

In light of the previous study, the FDA warned against antidepressants and teens because of the risk. Fewer teens take antidepressants because of this warning – and rightfully so. Dr Brown says, "People need to know if the antidepressant medication they are taking is increasing or decreasing their risk for suicide."

Previous studies from various universities and hospitals have found a connection between antidepressants and suicide. Some researchers state that major depression can be a significant risk factor in suicide attempts. Others found that suicide attempts decline after depression treatments.

The reasons for such different findings regarding antidepressants and suicide – or any scientific study for that matter – include the type of statistical analysis used, problematic methodology, too-small sample size, and a short amount of time. It's not necessarily that either finding is "wrong", it just depends on the study, participants, researcher, and many other factors.

Antidepressants and Suicide

Brown and his group studied the effect of newer antidepressants and suicide rates. He found that "suicide attempts were dramatically lowered once antidepressant medication began, indicating an overall benefit of these newer medications." (ScienceDaily, September 10, 2007).

There are other studies that refute the link between antidepressants and suicide – and suicide and depression.

Antidepressants can be an effective way to treat adult and teenage depression. Popular antidepressants include Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa and Prozac; they belong to one widely used class of antidepressants called serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

The bottom line is that it's different for everybody. For some people, talk therapy or even exercise alone helps with feelings of depression. For others, antidepressants are most valuable – it depends on the cause of depression, the type of depression, the person's biological makeup and even the type of antidepressants and dosage amount.

Monitor Antidepressant Use

When antidepressants are used to deal with depression, make sure regular contact with the doctor is maintained – especially at first. Don’t take herbal remedies like St John's Wort without checking with your doctor because the combination of prescription antidepressants and herbal supplements for depression can be unhealthy, if not downright dangerous.

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The copyright of the article Antidepressants and Suicide in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish Antidepressants and Suicide in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Antidepressants and Suicide