Originally published September 22 2005
Depression medication could lead teens to suicide
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Given the increasing evidence that antidepressants could increase the risk of teenage suicide, doctors are clamoring for more creative treatments.
Although depression is common among children and adolescents, treating it can be problematic, with little in the way of scientific evidence to guide the use of antidepressants, a new report finds.
Recent data about the increased risk of suicidal behavior among children taking antidepressants such as Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft have called their use in children into question.
However, experts say the benefits of these drugs outweigh the risks when patients are properly monitored.
The latest research, reported in the Sept. 10 issue of The Lancet, notes that major depressive disorders strike about 1 percent to 2 percent of children aged 6 to 12, and 2 percent to 5 percent of teens.
"Depression in children is relativity common, with a lot of impairment that lasts quite awhile," said study author Dr. Neal D. Ryan, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
In his review article, Ryan looked at the current state of what is known about treating depression in children and teens.
"There is a large gap in what is known about treating childhood depression compared with what is known about treating depression in adults," he said.
Part of the problem is that there are not enough studies to really tell how well these medications work in children, he said.
Given the potential problem with antidepressants and the lack of complete knowledge, it is an open question whether to use psychotherapy or medications first with children, Ryan noted.
"It's not a straightforward picture," he said.
Ryan believes children with severe depression can benefit from antidepressants, but children using these powerful drugs need careful monitoring.
"Anything you can do to monitor for suicidality makes a whole lot of sense," he said.
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