Antidepressants and Suicide in Children: Why Did the Warnings Take so Long?

[Guest guest]

http://mercola.com/2004/mar/3/antidepressants_suicide.htm

 

 

Antidepressants and Suicide in Children: Why Did the Warnings Take so Long?

 

(Of course the answer is MONEY. Frank)

 

 

 

A warning has been issued that common antidepressants prescribed to children are

not only largely ineffective, but they also may increase the risk of suicidal

behavior and self-harm among children. Despite this warning, physicians are

often told that depression is often missed in patients, and a lack of diagnosis

and treatment can lead to serious harm. The recommended “treatment of choice” is

antidepressant drugs.

 

 

 

The inconsistency displayed by this contradiction is the subject of two

commentaries in the Canadian Medical Association Journal as they seek to explain

why the lack of benefit and potential for harm from antidepressant use among

children took so long to be exposed. They bring up important points including:

 

 

 

 

The prescribing rate for antidepressants in young people has increased steadily

in the past decade

 

 

Many studies show that antidepressants have little to no effectiveness compared

to placebos

 

 

There is a large gap between the quality of evidence needed to get a drug to

market and the actual treatment needs of patients

 

 

In addition to their weak or nonexistent evidence of efficacy, antidepressants

may have serious side effects in children beyond suicidal behavior, including

agitation, irritability and behavioral disinhibition

 

 

Patient reports of adverse drug reactions are commonly dismissed as anecdotal or

unscientific

 

 

There has been no formal response to this crisis from leaders in child

psychiatry, many of whom were investigators in both published and unpublished

trials

 

 

All trial participants and--the broader public--should have access to the

results of clinical trials

 

 

Study data must be subject to analysis by independent experts who are alert to

conflicts of interest that may distort the interpretation of data

 

 

Guidelines for physicians need to be rewritten so they reflect the full body of

evidence, both published and unpublished

 

 

 

 

Canadian Medical Association Journal (Full-Text Article) February 17, 2004;

170(4):487

 

Canadian Medical Association Journal (Full-Text Article) February 17, 2004;

170(4):489

 

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

These thought-provoking commentaries are well worth reading for anyone, and are

essential for anyone considering antidepressants. I previously posted an article

that several leading antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal behaviors

among children. So not only do the antidepressants frequently not work, but they

also increase the risk of suicide.

 

Depression is serious business and can be terminal if it results in suicide. I

believe that it is tragic that wonderful tools like fish oil, which are rich in

omega-3 fatty acids, are not used more frequently.

 

Let's face it; we are all fatheads. Sixty percent of our brain is composed of

fat and half of that fat is DHA, one of the fats in fish oil. Our body can't

make it, and if we don't supply it we will suffer neurological complications.

One can certainly be depressed and have adequate amounts of fish oil, but it is

a simple, inexpensive and non-toxic strategy that helps many with depression.

 

Exercise can also be beneficial in helping those with depression. The practical

problem with using exercise in depression, however, is that the desire to pursue

any activity, let alone exercise, is not very high when you are depressed. The

converse though also needs to be considered. Just because one exercises, that

does not mean you cannot become depressed. Exercise makes it easier to treat

depression, but it certainly does not cure it in everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

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