Does Antidepressants Use in Teenagers Increase Suicide Rates?

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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...

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...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.

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