Suicide risk does not increase when adults start using antidepressants, study finds ( ine in rates of suicidal behavior than ...)

Suicide risk does not increase when adults start using antidepressants, study finds

ine in rates of suicidal behavior than older drugs.

Adolescents in the study had more suicide attempts than adults. The researchers found that the rate for the first six months of antidepressant treatment was 314 attempts per 100,000 in teens and 78 attempts per 100,000 in adults. As with adults, the rate was highest in the month before treatment and declined by about 60 percent after treatment began.

Given recent public concern over a possible link between suicide and antidepressants, Simon says he fears people may mistakenly believe that suicidal behavior is common after taking antidepressant medications. That misperception could lead to fewer people with depression being treated with medications proven to be effective in battling depression, he adds.

"There may be subgroups of people who become more agitated or suicidal after taking these drugs, and those people should seek help from a doctor or therapist right away if that happens," says Simon. "But our study showed that on average, the risk of suicide actually goes down after people start taking the antidepressant."

Simon agrees with the FDA's recommendations that doctors carefully monitor people taking antidepressants. "Keeping a close watch on patients after they begin taking these drugs is a good idea--although not because these medicines are especially risky or dangerous," he says. "Patients need to be monitored to ensure they're getting the right medication in the amount that can help them feel better."

Source:Group Health Cooperative Center for Health Studies

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( ine in rates of suicidal behavior than ...)Suicide risk does not increase when adults start using antidepressants, study finds