Teen Suicides and Antidepressants

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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.

Depression is becoming more common among adults due to the stresses that accompany everyday living. Along with the increasing numbers of adults suffering from depression, an ongoing rise in depression among the youth is also becoming a growing concern. Depression induced by peer pressure, bullying or other stresses can contribute to the growing numbers of adolescents taking antidepressants. According to Dr. Vincent Iannelli, there is an estimate that 3 percent of children and about 12 percent of teens suffer from depression. What most people are misinformed about is that they believe that antidepressants will prevent users from having depression or stop it completely. This is a misconception about antidepressants that can be misleading. The idea of taking a supplement to combat an internal emotional conflict should be severed out as a means of treatment unless ultimately necessar...

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... the body feels as the result of any number of reasons. Spreading more information to the public to raise awareness of the detrimental effects of antidepressants is the only way to combat the ongoing problem.

Works Cited

1. Vincent Iannelli, M.D. Kids and Antidepressants - http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/mentalhealth/a/psymeds_suicide.htm

2. Cindy Uken. More people using antidepressants than ever- http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_6726f2db-9561-5dd6-9360- 56836d9b34ec.html

3. C Scott Moreland and Liza Bonin, PhD, Effect of antidepressants on suicide risk in children and adolescents -http://www.uptodate.com/contents/effect-of- antidepressants-on-suicide-risk-in-children-and-adolescents

4. Edelson, Ed. "Suicide risk with antidepressants falls with age; study reiterates that young are most vulnerable." Consumer Health News. 11 Aug. 2009

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