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On March 22, 2004, the FDA issued a suicide caution
for anti-depressants. They are asking certain drug companies to
put a warning label on their anti-depressants due to concerns about
a possible increase in suicide when taking certain SSRI’s.
Peace and Healing has reviewed the studies, and we need to address
a few issues in an attempt to calm the panic that has occurred with
reference to this.
The specific SSRI’s that are being targeted are Prozac, Paxil,
Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Remeron, Lexapro, Luvox, Serzone and Wellbutrin.
These medications do affect serotonin levels in the brain, and their
effectiveness is well established for alleviating certain depressions.
The initial concern arose after what appeared to be some successful
suicide attempts by children who were taking these medications.
Subsequently, the parents who lost children while on these anti-depressants
began to react and make inquiries, looking for an external source
for their child’s unfortunate death. Of the 25-30 studies
Peace and Healing has reviewed and over 4,000 children and teenagers
taking these SSRI’s, there were no
completed suicides.
When a medication is administered to any population for the first
time, careful scrutiny occurs. Subsequently in this case, where
completed suicides occurred, much attention was drawn to these unfortunate
episodes. To draw an immediate cause and effect reaction to this
is a knee-jerk reaction. Looking at the long-term history of SSRI’s
in adults, we have not seen an increase in completed suicides. However,
the FDA continues to recommend warnings for both adults and children
taking these medications.
In addition, I would like draw a comparison, to an alcoholic seeking
treatment. In many cases, when an alcoholic has recovered from their
treatment, they move back into the family, and there is a dramatic
change in their personality that everyone must adjust to. Many have
been unaware of the fact that the alcoholic had been self-medicating
for years, and the spouse who has been with that person only knows
that individual as the intoxicated person one who drinks to self-medicate.
After recovery, it is not uncommon to have family dysfunction in
an attempt to deal with the new person who is now in recovery. Rarely
has Peace and Healing seen a child who has been depressed without
some level of family dysfunction. If we operate under the premise
that if a child’s depression is alleviated they not only feel
better about themselves but are able to perceive their environment
in a more positive way, when their depression is alleviated, they
are able to return to a home with some degree of dysfunction, which
may or may not have been targeted with counseling.
Depression in children as well as adults is multi-faceted. Until
more reliable studies are performed, we must be careful not to externalize
blame onto a single pill, however easy or convenient that might
be. No one wants to take the responsibility for a child’s
death. However, medications appear to be doing far more good than
harm.
Any medication should be used with caution. Let’s not jump
to conclusions and become hysterical. Do not stop medications unless
you consult with your healthcare provider. Continue the medications
that individuals are currently on unless you are told by your healthcare
provider that you should stop them or switch to another medication.
It was not so long ago that individuals felt that certain verses
in heavy metal music would cause or influence completed suicides.
There has been no evidence to support this. These individuals were
found to have had many other stressors and depression in their lives,
and although their musical preference may have contributed to completed
suicides, it is ludicrous to believe it was solely responsible.
NO ONE WANTS TO LOSE A LOVED ONE TO A COMPLETED SUICIDE, and is
especially horrific when it is a child. In a moment of sadness,
intense depression and grieving, all of us become much calmer, it
seems, and we can externalize the blame onto one specific item,
whether it is music or a pill. This has to be looked at. Peace and
Healing will try to keep individuals abreast of any new research
studies that are objective. Please stay tuned for further information.
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