Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 last
To: RandallFlagg

I completely forgot to send you my condolences and ask you not to blame yourself. May God rest his soul and console you in your sorrow.


61 posted on 08/13/2006 2:50:13 PM PDT by tiki
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: RandallFlagg

My condolences on your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers this evening.


62 posted on 08/13/2006 4:49:26 PM PDT by GreenHornet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Pegita; RandallFlagg

Praying your Beautiful Prayer Aloud with you, Dear Pegita, in the Name of our Holy King.


63 posted on 08/14/2006 9:42:07 AM PDT by Kitty Mittens (To God Be All Excellent Praise!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: RandallFlagg

I am so sorry for your loss, Randall.


64 posted on 08/14/2006 1:08:56 PM PDT by Palladin (Ceasefire? What ceasefire??--IDF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: barker

I am sorry for your loss, barker. May you find peace and healing during this difficult time.


65 posted on 08/14/2006 1:11:21 PM PDT by Palladin (Ceasefire? What ceasefire??--IDF)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: Palladin

Thank you. It has been very difficult but we will be ok. You have no idea how much the kind words from you and others here help.


66 posted on 08/14/2006 2:39:18 PM PDT by barker (Am going to my Happy Place now. Back soon.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: barker

So sorry for your loss. Small world. My husband was on all kinds of pain medication and antidepressants. He passed away three years ago. I suspect suicide - coroner said "accidental overdose".


67 posted on 08/14/2006 2:47:37 PM PDT by Auntbee (I have become comfortably numb.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: RandallFlagg

Sorry for your loss. My best friends little brother did the same thing three years ago. He was on antidepressants, also. He was in his early 40's.


68 posted on 08/14/2006 2:49:13 PM PDT by Auntbee (I have become comfortably numb.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Auntbee; Palladin; Kitty Mittens; All

Thank you all so much.
This isn't getting easier. We bury him on Wednesday.
His doctor had better not be at his funeral. If he is, he'll get one warning.


69 posted on 08/14/2006 5:17:25 PM PDT by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: Auntbee

You have FReep mail


70 posted on 08/14/2006 6:52:13 PM PDT by barker (Am going to my Happy Place now. Back soon.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: barker

I am sorry for all your losses. I know what you all are going through.
My daughter in law was on pain medication and effexor and took her life three years ago.
A young successful vibrant girl of 31. She would never hurt anyone and she hurt so many people.
I totally blame the drugs and the doctors.
Three months after she died, the FDA came out with the waning for children on anti-depressants.
I have seen now that they are warning labels on these drugs for adults also.
With effexor alone, Wyeth makes like 2 1/2 billion a year.
Money, money, money.
They cannot keep giving these drugs to people, when they know how dangerous they are. Something has to be done.
I have written to different Senators and have seen where some parents have come before the Senate to say that they believe it was these drugs that killed their children. Still these drugs are handed out like candy.
Have a friend who was having problems with hormone balance and they wanted to give her wellbutrin, well, that is an anti-depressant. Have read where they are giving more anti-depressants out to the elderly. This is so wrong.
My heart goes out to all who have been affected by a suicide as there are so many questions that remain unanswered, but these are mind altering drugs and not the true thinking ways of your loved ones.
It has changed my life so much, the heartbreak of losing this darling girl, and the pain I see in my son's eyes still.
There is a Survivors of Suicide site that does help some people. I know my son has posted there.
He has made a beautiful webpage dedicated to her and it is so hard to go to as she was always smiling and happy, until these drugs were taken.
I have read so many blogs of people who were not suicidal until they took these anti-depressants.
Thanks for listening to my rant.

And my heartfelt sorrow for all who have gone through and are going through this.
God Bless.


71 posted on 08/14/2006 10:12:54 PM PDT by sweetiepiezer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: RandallFlagg

Tough stuff to deal with.

My Bro in law sorta did the same thing.

It takes time.

Time heals.

I know that doesn't help now.


72 posted on 08/20/2006 10:28:53 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (August 22)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Jet Jaguar

It's helping. It's getting better.
Turns out that his being on Accutaine as a teen might have had something to do with it.
At least he's not hurting anymore.


73 posted on 08/21/2006 7:04:49 AM PDT by RandallFlagg (Roll your own cigarettes! You'll save $$$ and smoke less!(Magnetic bumper stickers-click my name)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-73 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson