Antidepressants are widely used to curb bouts of depression. However, according to a latest study, it may have an opposite effect as it could lead to an increased suicide risk especially in teenagers under the age 18.
The study was a collaboration between the Nordic Cochrane Centre (NCC) in Denmark and the University College London (UCL). NCC did the research, while the data was analyzed by UCL.
The Week reported that the drugs that were reviewed include the popular drug Prozac, duloxetine, sertraline, paroxetine and venlafaxine. According to the report, it was found that many pharmaceutical companies would regularly misclassify suicide attempts and make it appear favorable to their products. For Campaigns for Young Minds, this act is disturbing.
Drug Watch has also pointed out the dire effects of antidepressants. It stated that those who use SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Prozac, have the tendency to exhibit violent behavior and aggression, both of which can lead to suicide.
Various clinical trials have also revealed that suicidal thoughts are common in people who take antidepressants. These thoughts could eventually lead to an actual attempt at committing suicide.
The authors of the study suggest that teenagers must be provided with other types of therapy by their doctors before giving them antidepressants. They must be encouraged to exercise and to undergo psychotherapy when necessary.
There is compelling evidence that shows that taking antidepressants while one is under the age of 18 are more inclined to commit suicide compared to their older counterparts. Despite the disturbing findings though, there are still 100,000 Prozac prescriptions in England, all of which are given to teenagers.
In the U.S. it has been reported that a staggering number of 30,000 people commit suicide, as per the data of the National Institute of Mental Health. Antidepressants may be the shortest and convenient form of treatment for depression, however, the risks associated with their use are not worth it.
