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 ...
Sorry for your loss. My best friend's brother killed himself a couple of years ago the same way. His girlfriend had just broken up with him. It's devastating to any family and I know you'll be asking "why?" for years to come. You have my sympathy.
oh...non-prescription therapy don't pay the dock fees.
Thank you.
Just this past Monday? I'd be in far too much shock to tie my shoes let alone freep.
Yep.
I'm more concerned for my G'Ma and Mom. They were living with him and they both found his body.
Sorry to hear that...
What non-prescription therapy??
What you hear about these drugs can be scary, one maybe should remember most will talk about bad side effects but ont the good ones.
There is not one chemical compound that I'm am aware of that does not include 'long term, irreversable brain damage' in its list of contraindications in the PDF.
I base my admittedly empirical conclusions upon years of documenting and investigating unattended deaths...including suicides, and years of running a muni lockup...intake and monitoring of arrestees. Then there are the many acquantences and friends who, through the years, have had experiences related to Ritalin and other compounds used on their children, and the long term effects and results of that therapy.
I'm always curious; I ask questions. I've not seen or heard of a productive consequence of drug therapy. Not once...except in short term circumstances...which, unavoidably, went south, in time. Reputed successes are, as far as my prejudices will allow, to be had DESPITE the use of the drugs.
I'd love to talke to you more about this.
"There is not one chemical compound that I'm am aware of that does not include 'long term, irreversable brain damage' in its list of contraindications in the PDF. "
Does this include the SSRIs like lexapro, zoloft prozac etc??
What about St John's Wort (or other "natural" serotonin uptake inhibitors) for depression?
These references I allude to are the result of periodic consultation over the years to look at specific things, and I don't pretend to be an authority. I can sometimes guess correctly the drug and length of time taken by what I observe in an incoming arrestee. This ain't exactly scientific.....but you notice things after a while. And through the years, I get to see the same clients periodically, and observe their progress; and I always inquire, for my own purposes, the status of their treatment. Not part of my job, per se, but it gives us something to chat about. (although I like to know if they're feeling like killing themselves...that is part of my job...keep 'em alive long enough to see the judge)
Thanks very much...
What's the PDF?
There seems to be nowhere to turn if you don't want to use SSRIs for depression. I did read that in Germany the vast majority of mild to mid level depression is treated with St John's wort Prozac has 2%.
Physicians' Desk Reference.
slip of finger...sorry
Ha! PDF..twice...slip of brain. Double sorry. PDR PDR PDR...
Oh my! Prayers for you and your family. I can't imagine the pain you must be feeling right now.
Please keep on FReeping. You know you have A LOT of support here. God bless you during this awful, terrible time.
Thank you both. Thank you all.
I'm just trying to get back in the saddle. My family needs me to stay strong. So far, so good.
Thank you.
We need some prayer warriors for our FRiend Randall here. His loss is great.
Pegita, I humbly ask that you ping your lists.
I make sure I take my B-100, and my multiple vitamin every day. Coffee helps, and I'm good to go.
I pull weeds, prune roses trim shrubbery, and just get moving into life.
Everyone can be depressed if all we do is sit around and watch TV, becoming so self absorbed, depression will set right in.
I'm up every morning at 4:45. I work and don't have time for that kind of thing.
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