Does Antidepressants Use in Teenagers Increase Suicide Rates?

1027 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Depression and its effect on teens

Introduction

Teen depression is a serious condition that can be a devastating problem for both the child and parent. It is a disorder that reduces their moods thus causing loss of interest in things they should enjoy and make them irritable. In this literature review we are going to examine the use of antidepressants to treat teen depression. It will also look at the risks of suicides increased as a result of taking antidepressants and the measures taken to reduce this problem.

Can antidepressants use in Teenagers increase suicide rates/thoughts?

In the past few recent years, there has been a developing concern about the use of antidepressants in teenagers (13-20 years of age) as there has been increase in teen depression in the world. It is now a big question among the psychiatrists if it is really beneficial for teenagers. In most cases parents take their child to the psychiatrist if they notice them behaving differently from normal and see if they can do something about it. Unfortunately, prescribing an antidepressant to an adolescent may increase suicidal thought or completions. The literature review will therefore consider if antidepressants are appropriate to be used by teenagers and if they influence or contribute to the suicidal thoughts and actions. The view will mainly respond to the following questions:

1. Are antidepressants safe for teenagers?

2. Are the risks of suicide increased as a result of taking antidepressants medication?

3. What is the FDA doing to warn of the risks of suicide with the use of antidepressants?

In any case before a teenager is prescribed an antidepressant .both the parent s and the psychiatrist need to understand the risks of suicide associate with the specification of the ant...

... middle of paper ...

...tidepressants should be closely monitored for any worsening in depression. (Leslie, LK, Newman, TB, Emergency of suicidal thinking or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior such as, sleeplessness, or withdrawal from normal social situations .Close monitoring is especially important in the first four weeks of treatment. The Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) medications usually have few side effects in teenagers so FDA recommends them to use them.

Conclusion.

We are able to discover that depression is a treatable disease using antidepressants as much as it may cause some of the side effects. The treatment of antidepressants in teenagers is the most successful when the parents are involved. Learning to understand the effects of the antidepressants helps to reduce suicide in teenagers as the healthcare and parents are more attentive to the teenager.

Show More
Related

  • Bipolar Disorder in Song Lyrics

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...Mood Disorders and Suicide. In Abnormal Psychology (16th Ed.) (pp. 211-262). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

    Read More

  • The Desire to Die: Suicide and Euthanasia in the Elderly

    1517 Words  | 4 Pages

    antidepressants among US youths. Pediatrics, 109 (5), 721-727. Retrieved via Academic Search Primer on 3/25/04. http://web3.epnet.com

    Read More

  • The Effect of SSRI Medications on Our Humanity

    1866 Words  | 4 Pages

    Part One: Overview of depression, the serotonin system, and explanation of SSRI medications and alternatives.

    Read More

  • Teen Suicides and Antidepressants

    1652 Words  | 4 Pages

    There is an escalating problem that is becoming more prominent among adolescent society involving the use of anti-depressant medication and its increased risk of suicidal tendencies. Studies show that more Americans are turning to antidepressants and are not informed of the irreversible dangers that are associated with taking them. Antidepressants possess a variety of different side effects just like other medications, however, there is a growing concern regarding the increasing rate of suicides among adolescent teens. Especially in today’s society, there is an alarming increase in influences that the media places upon the younger generations living in America. Antidepressant use in this age group should include high monitoring of suicidal thoughts and tendencies, and should include an increased effort to raising awareness of this issue.

    Read More

  • Prozac Causes More Deaths than Any Other Drug

    1498 Words  | 3 Pages

    Depression and suicide go hand in hand. In fact, 10 to 15 percent of depressed patients commit suicide (Lieber). This is the foundation of the defense argued by Eli Lilly, maker of Fluoxetine, commonly known as Prozac, and other companies manufacturing similar drugs. Although there are some 200 court cases alleging a link between suicide and Prozac this year, Eli Lilly continues to be cleared of all liability (Prozac and Suicide). One such case was brought up in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1993, William Forsyth Sr., who was 63 and had been on Prozac for only two weeks, killed his wife, June, and himself. The plaintiffs argued that the side effects of Prozac, which included "nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, inner restlessness, manic behavior, self-mutilation and suicidal thoughts," were responsible for the murder-suicide. However, the Lilly spokesman said that those effects were "based on no scientific information at all." He also cited that the...

    Read More

  • Unseen Struggles: Abby's Tragic Tale

    513 Words  | 2 Pages

    Approximately 24% of 12-17 year olds have considered suicide and up to 10% have attempted suicide.” (Suicide Intervention Training PG 3). Teens today are very likely to commit suicide for various reasons. In today’s society there are a lot of judging and bullying cases around the world. No matter how much we promote a bully free zone there will always be a couple of cliques, or individuals, who want to bring others down and who do not know the seriousness of bullying. Although bullying is a big cause of suicide, the leading cause is a mental illness that many people are familiar with called depression. “Psychiatric disorders can affect diverse aspects of an individual’s life.”( Dispelling Myth Surrounding Teen Suicide, PG 1). If you or someone you know seems down most of the time, the best thing to do is to go see someone about your despair. If you are diagnosed with depression, prescribed depression medicine can help and can be one way to prevent suicidal thoughts or actions. “There is a lot of evidence that suicide is preventable.”(Cont. Principles of Suicide Prevention, PG

    Read More

  • Risk of Antidepressants in Teens

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 19-year-olds. In any given year, about 20% of all high school students think of committing suicide; almost 10% try” (Cropper 112). This shocking statistic shows the high risk of suicide among teens, but what some might not know is that the most common form of treatment used to help teens suffering with depression is one that might also increase the risk of suicide and/or harmful actions to oneself. Tricyclic antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro are commonly prescribed to adolescents and young adults to relieve symptoms of depression, and they work by either releasing more of the brain’s “happy chemical,” serotonin, in those with clinical depression, or by stopping the release of the brain’s emotional chemicals in those with manic depression (or other diseases such as bipolar disorder) (Silverstein 61). Although antidepressants can have a positive effect on the symptoms of depression, the risk of suicide among those who take it is too high to use as a first option. Suicidal behavior is a serious side effect in teens that are prescribed tricyclic antidepressants; depression should be treated with safer alternatives, such as behavioral treatment or other forms of therapy as opposed to such a “trial and error” approach.

    Read More

  • Effects Of Antidepressants On Children And Teens

    1177 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to the FDA, about 2.5% of children and around 8% of adolescents are affected by depression (Temple). A common way to treat depression is by taking antidepressants. Children and teens have also been prescribed antidepressants for various reasons other than depression such as OCD and anxiety disorders. While it is legal for teenagers and children to take antidepressants, many people are concerned with the issues that taking antidepressants have. Children and teens should be allowed to take antidepressants only when other forms of therapy don’t work. Antidepressants are serious drugs that have severe warnings when children and teens use them. There is also an increased risk of worsening depression and suicide in children and teens, especially in the when they begin to take it. Even the less severe side effects can make quite a negative impact on life.

    Read More

  • Overuse of Antidepressants Today and How Aldous Huxley Predicted It

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    Antidepressant usage has increased all around the world and is used by all ages. Doctors are prescribing more prescriptions, even if the patient does not need the medication. “Antidepressants prescriptions in the UK have increased by 9.6% in 2011, to 46 million prescriptions” (Are Antidepressants overused?). This study took place in the United Kingdom; however, a lot more prescriptions are being prescribed all around the world. The use of antidepressants is increasing to an all time high because doctors do not want to waste time talking about feelings. The psychologist’s just want the patients to feel better quickly so they prescribe antidepressants. Human beings as well as doctors think that prescribing medicat...

    Read More

  • Depression and Antidepressants

    2869 Words  | 6 Pages

    I am quite fascinated by generalized control mechanisms and the role they play in the nervous system. I am also quite curious about the relationship between different generalized control mechanisms. The concept of mood and depression in particular have always interested me. I have always wondered what actually causes depression. Why can some people be in a perfectly good mood one day and then less than a week later start exhibiting the signs of clinical depression? I have always been curious about the role that experience and chemical imbalances play in depression and other mood disorders. I donUt totally understand how chemical depression can originate as the result of severe outside stressors in a personUs life. How can this stress go from simply stress in the experiences and environment of a person to a chemical imbalance? I have also wondered why certain people are more susceptible to depression than others. I am curious about whether genetics play a role in depression and whether certain people are more susceptible to depression because of the environment they live in or because of pharmacological reasons and genes. Throughout our class this year, I have wondered about the role that the I-function plays in depression. I find it interesting that it is possible to wake up one morning and be in a nasty mood even if I want to be in a good mood and my I-function is thinking RhappyS thoughts. Through my research for this paper I wanted to find out more about the different kinds of depression and exactly what goes on chemically in the brain when a person is depressed. I also wanted to do a little research on how depression can be treated. I wanted to try and determine how and when the line of simp...

    Read More

  • Major Teen Depression and Its Growing Issue in Society

    1368 Words  | 3 Pages

    People constantly overlook the severity of depression, more importantly, major teen depression, which presents a legitimate obstacle in society. The intensity of teen depression results from society’s general lack of acknowledgement of the rising affair. In 2012, “28.5% of teens were depressed” and 15.8% of teens contemplated the option of suicide (Vidourek 1 par. 1), due to their major depression going unnoticed or untreated for. Even teenagers themselves often ignore their depression or remain in denial because neither them nor anyone else recognizes the signs. “A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to having suicidal thoughts,” stated Pam Farkas, a clinical social worker in California (Aguilar 1 par. 8). The warning signs and risk factors of teen depression include behavioral issues, social withdrawal, and inadequate interest in activities (Adolescents and Clinical Depression 2 par. 3), yet the unawareness of these signs does not allow professional medical attention to intercede. Deaths, illnesses, rejection, relationship issues, and disappointment present passages down the negative path of teen depression, but treatments, such as psychotherapy, intervention programs, and antidepressants express ways to subdue this major problem. Knowledge of the increasing dilemma needs to circulate, in order to promote stable teen lives in the present and future world. Understanding major teen depression, the events and incidents that lead to depression, and how to overcome the problem will lead to a decrease in major teen depression and its growing issue in society.

    Read More

  • Mental Illness: Depression

    1817 Words  | 4 Pages

    Wilkinson P, Kelvin R, Roberts C, Dubika B, Goodyer I (2011) “Clinical & Psychosocial Predictors of Suicide Attempts and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in the Adolescents Depression, Anti-Depressants & Psychotherapy Trial (ADAPT)” The American Journal of Psychiatry 168(5) page 495-501

    Read More

  • Teenagers and Suicide

    1184 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is estimated that 300 to 400 teen suicides occur per year in Los Angeles County; which is equivalent to one teenager lost every day (1). Many concerned people ask, "What is going on?" and "Why is this happening?" Among many things, some suicidal youths experience family trouble, which leads them, to doubt their self-worth and make them feel unwanted, superfluous, and misunderstood. According to one study, 90 percent of suicidal teenagers believed their families did not understand them. Young people reported that when they tried to tell their parents about their feelings of unhappiness or failure, their mother and father denied or ignored their point of view (1). Suicide can be prevented; in fact, suicide prevention has saved over ten percent of teens who have tried to attempt suicide (1). In this paper I will prove that although, suicide is a serious epidemic amongst teens in the U.S., it can also be prevented.

    Read More

  • Academic Stress Causes Teenage Depression

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    Empfield, M., Bakalar, N. (2001). Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment and Management, Holt Paperbacks, New York.

    Read More

  • Causes and Effect of Depression among Teenagers

    1190 Words  | 3 Pages

    Conclusively, teenage depression is a chronic problem in the life of teenagers, which should be properly handled. When signs of this are seen in teenagers, adequate steps should be taken, in order to ensure their safety and restore their mental strength.

    Read More

More about Does Antidepressants Use in Teenagers Increase Suicide Rates?

Open Document