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New Depression Findings Could Alter Treatments
NY Times ^ | August 8, 2006 | BENEDICT CAREY

Posted on 08/11/2006 9:01:19 PM PDT by neverdem

The results of two new studies may signal a substantial shift in the way psychiatrists and researchers think about treatment for severely depressed patients.

--snip--

In the other, psychiatrists in New York found evidence that antidepressant drugs significantly increased the risk that some children and adolescents would attempt or commit suicide. Doctors have debated this risk for years, but the authors of the study were skeptical of it, and their report may sway others.

--snip--

The study of suicide risk, led by Dr. Mark Olfson of Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, was based on an analysis of Medicaid records of more than 4,400 people who were hospitalized for depression in 1999 and 2000.

--snip--

But children and adolescents in the study who were taking antidepressants were about 50 percent more likely than those not on the drugs to try to kill themselves. And they were about 15 times as likely as those not on the medications to complete the act, although the number of suicides was too small to draw definitive conclusions, the authors cautioned.

In addition, there could be differences between the two groups that the Medicaid records didn’t reveal: the children who received the drugs may have been more severely ill, skewing the results, they said.

In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration required strong warnings on the labels of antidepressant drugs alerting parents and doctors of a possible suicide risk in some children. Since then many psychiatrists have been skeptical of the suicide link.

“I was surprised by what we found,” Dr. Olfson said. “I set out thinking we’d find that the drugs” significantly reduced suicide risk.

The findings may prompt researchers to look at which children are most at risk, rather than continuing to debate whether the risk exists, he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: antidepressants; depression; disorders; drugs; health; ketamine; medicine; mentaldisorders; mentalhealth; pharmaceuticals; psychiatry; ssri; suicideattempts; suicides
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To: mplsconservative

Actually, please send them to my Mom and Grandma. He lived with them, and they are the ones who found him in the backyard Monday morning.


41 posted on 08/12/2006 10:07:45 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)
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To: neverdem

How about, "Were More Likely to Commit Violent Acts"?


42 posted on 08/12/2006 10:15:08 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: dasboot

They knew it back when I studied at that same distinguished institution. It was hammered into our brains that anyone recovering from depression was more likely to commit suicide during the upswing than at any other time. Adolescence is the most dangerous age for depression, given the massive changes and confusion and pressure on the teenage mind.


43 posted on 08/12/2006 10:16:18 PM PDT by The Westerner
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To: RandallFlagg

I'm really sorry to read about your loss. May I ask how old he was? FWIW, prayer offered.


44 posted on 08/12/2006 10:34:00 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: neverdem

He was 38 April 27th.


45 posted on 08/12/2006 10:36:07 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)
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To: RandallFlagg; mplsconservative; trussell; Cindy; Kitty Mittens; Brad's Gramma
Unto You, O Lord, we return with thanksgiving that we can gather around Randy and his family in their time of great loss. Touch the depths of their grieving hearts with a Comfort beyond human understanding, so deep is their devastation and need. May the death of Randy's brother bring about needed changes in treatment, for You are not willing that any should perish. Cause us to look to You, O Lord, in faith even in times when we have not understanding, for no matter the circumstance, You never leave nor forsake. For this we praise You, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen ...
46 posted on 08/13/2006 6:24:13 AM PDT by Pegita ('Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word ...)
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To: neverdem

*


47 posted on 08/13/2006 6:26:12 AM PDT by Sam Cree (Don't mix alcopops and ufo's)
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To: dynoman

"What about St John's Wort (or other "natural" serotonin uptake inhibitors) for depression?"

Tryptophan is a pre-cursor to serotonin. The good thing is that it adds serotonin but doesn't change the feedback part of the process (i.e., the re-Uptake part) so it isn't as likely to change a very complicated process in the brain over time.

From what I have read lots of people have been helped by Tryptophan without the side effects caused by SSRIs. It's not a cure (people have to keep taking it) but apparently it's safer for long-term use. It's naturally ocurring in certain foods anyway.


48 posted on 08/13/2006 6:45:52 AM PDT by webstersII
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To: RandallFlagg; 4woodenboats; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; abletruth; Accountable One; Aeronaut; ...
RIP Prayer ping.See post 19 posted on 08/12/2006 4:34:21 AM MDT by RandallFlagg {click the number}

Please post your replies to RandallFlagg


Rest in Peace
 Brother of RandallFlagg

RandallFlagg, My prayers go up for all who now mourn the passing of your brother. Comfort and peace for you all.  

Blessings,
trussell


If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.

49 posted on 08/13/2006 11:08:37 AM PDT by trussell (Work for God...the retirement benefits are eternal!)
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To: RandallFlagg

Randall, you have my deepest sympathy, and I offer my humble prayer for your brother, and everyone he left behind.


50 posted on 08/13/2006 11:17:58 AM PDT by Aeronaut ("Endless repetition is not a coherent argument." —Thomas Sowell)
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To: RandallFlagg
I've seen stable, happy people turned into sobbing wrecks by Paxil, Zoloft, and the like. Starting and stopping those regimens can be harrowing for the strongest person.

You have my condolences for your and your family's loss.

51 posted on 08/13/2006 11:18:07 AM PDT by IronJack
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To: RandallFlagg
Dear RandallFlagg,

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your brother. I humbly offer my sincere condolences to you & your family along with prayers for comfort.
52 posted on 08/13/2006 11:21:56 AM PDT by AZamericonnie (Support the Troops...they support us!)
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To: RandallFlagg
/rant

Maybe a rant to you.
Your post is also a sobering reminder to lurkers/posters about the
struggles of those with depression, as well as their families and friends.
Keep the faith. (easy for me to say)
53 posted on 08/13/2006 11:26:36 AM PDT by VOA
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To: RandallFlagg

Prayers sent.


54 posted on 08/13/2006 11:48:40 AM PDT by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: RandallFlagg

Randall, I am so sorry. My husband did the same thing on April 20th of this year. It's going to be very hard and there will be questions you will never find the answer to.

Just remember you have friends here that are praying for you and your family.


55 posted on 08/13/2006 12:42:43 PM PDT by barker (Am going to my Happy Place now. Back soon.)
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To: RandallFlagg
But these damn doctors must stop with simply prescribing drugs to their patients and TALK TO THEM!

So very sorry for your loss. Our condolences.

I know from my experience after I moved to Kansas, that isolating was the worst thing I could do. My psychologist Sharon really harped on me to at least get outside on the front porch to read the paper every day. I did that... met most of our neighbors and found a purpose in life.

Psychiatrists just do 'medication checks' these days because of insurance restrictions. For 'talk' therapy, you have to see a psychologist.

God Bless,

56 posted on 08/13/2006 12:51:44 PM PDT by DaveMSmith ("Nothing unconnected ever occurs, for anything unconnected would instantly perish")
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To: RandallFlagg

I'm so, so sorry. This is one of the toughest things that there is to deal with. Prayers for strength, and for peace eventually.


57 posted on 08/13/2006 1:53:25 PM PDT by Bahbah (Goldwasser, Regev and Shalit, we are praying for you.)
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To: RandallFlagg

I am so sorry Randall. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.


58 posted on 08/13/2006 1:57:59 PM PDT by pollyannaish
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To: RandallFlagg

I'm so very sorry to hear about your brother. Prayers for you and your Mom and Grandma, and all others who love him, for comfort and peace.


59 posted on 08/13/2006 2:23:38 PM PDT by TruthSetsUFree
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To: RandallFlagg
My niece is in the hospital as we speak. I saw her in July and we spent lots of time together, we laughed until we cried and talked a blue streak. I did notice that she was very vague a few times but when I heard, I was shocked because I thought she was fine.

I was actually the one who diagnosed her the first time in 1999 but I was able to see it in written correspondence and completely missed it face to face. I insisted that she seek help and they hospitalized then too. Depression is just a horrible disease and it isn't always apparent, even to those who love them and live with them.

60 posted on 08/13/2006 2:49:14 PM PDT by tiki
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