Suicide Risk and Antidepressants

December 26, 2014

Day 8: Suicide Risk and Antidepressants Facts and Tips about Antidepressants By Shereen A. Gharbia, PharmD

Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among adolescents, and the most feared outcome of psychiatric illness. Many psychiatric illness, including major depression, bipolar disorder, chronic illness, and alcohol abuse, are associated with increased risk of suicide. Depression is one of the most important risk factors for suicide. Awareness of childhood depression has increased over the last couple of decades, and the use of antidepressants in children has become common. The use of antidepressants in children and adolescents has received considerable media attention including concerns about increased suicide risk, whether the drugs work, and why the number of prescriptions is growing. It has been speculated that antidepressants themselves may increase the risk of suicide among vulnerable individuals with depression. All antidepressants carry some risk of suicide in certain patients with depression. »

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