mental health
Antidepressants Don’t Increase Suicide Risk
By Darla Sitton
CBN News Producer
CBN.com – (CBN News) - Antidepressant drugs have come under fire because they have been linked to an increase in suicidal tendencies, especially when used by teens.
Some 19 million Americans suffer from depression every year.
But new government-sponsored studies on some of the most popular antidepressants, such as Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, and others, such as Paxil, Lexapro, Effexor, Remeron, and Wellbutin seem to contradict widely held views that antidepressant medications worsen suicidal tendencies.
Dr. Julio Licinio noted, "The biggest cause of suicide is untreated depression. And by treating depression, one reduces the risk of suicide."
One study, involving 65,000 patients, found that the risk of a suicide attempt dropped by 60 percent shortly after beginning treatment. That proved true for both adults and teens.
It also concluded that the newer drugs decrease suicidal risk more than earlier-generation drugs.
Another study revealed that close to a third of adults with severe depression experienced full remission within weeks of drug therapy.
"The main message is for people taking antidepressants or considering taking antidepressants, is that the risk of a serious suicide attempt or dying by suicide after starting one of these medicines is quite low," said Dr. Gregory Simon, researcher for Group Health Initiative.
That is good news for Sheri Walton and her family. They decided to put their 16-year-old daughter, Jordan, on antidepressants, in spite of the safety concerns. They were glad they did.
Sheri said, "It's been a lifesaver for me, for my children -- for Jordan, especially."
"Once I was on the medication, things just started to get better,” Jordan said.
But despite the new evidence, the FDA is not ready to change its strong warning label on the antidepressants, saying more research is needed, especially among the young.
They are urging medical professionals to pay close attention to symptoms that signal suicidal behavior.
And one more note, researchers also found that the number of suicide attempts was highest in the month before drug treatment began.
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