FDA hearings confirm risks of antidepressants
BMJ 2004; 329 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.329.7467.641 (Published 16 September 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;329:641All rapid responses
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Dear Jeanne:
The treatment with antidepressive druggs have the following
characteristics:
In the first week of treatment the patient improve the dream and the
appetite and in the second week the patient improves his/her disposition
and for that reason he or she can do the suicidal plan(before that moment,
he or she can not do that because he or she have not a appropriatte level
of energy to do that).
It is in the third week when starting the humor improve and the patient
start the reduction or disappearance of the suicidal ideacion's and the
patient also beging to improve the interests in the quotidian activities.
For that reason in all depressive clinical picture the
doctor must inquire about suicidal ideacion and suicidal plans, and take
another meassure if is necessary to protect the life of the patient.
It is very important the systematic exploration of suicidal idea in all
depressive disorders (How, When, Where, Why, For what).
Sincerely yours
Prof. Dr. Sergio A. Perez Barrero
Founder WPA Suicidology Section
IASP National Representative
PAHO- WHO Temporal Advisor for the Suicide Prevention in The Americas.
Member of IASR, IATS, BI.
www.redsuicidiologos.com.ar
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
SSRIs are ineffective in children and adolescents with depression.
Sir:
Evidently, all SSRIs are now reported to have serious adverse effects
including suicidal ideations and suicide among children and adolescents
who receive SSRIs. Besides their role in the management of adolescents
with depression is presently highly questioned than ever before as the
converging evidence suggests so so robustly. Moreover, suicide is a
heterogeneous phenomenon and a variety of biopsychosocial factors underlie
this ever increasing problem in the western world and public will distaste
vehemently its further escalation attributed to the use of SSRIs in
children and adolescents with depression. Therefore, the use of SSRIs in
depressed children and adolescents must be banned.
Then what is the alternative option? Arguably, traditional
antidepressants and one of the appropriate psychosocial therapies may
still fill this gap and meanwhile mental health professionals and drug
manufacturers in partnership must develop some better drugs for the
treatment of depression in children and adolescents.
Reference:
Jeanne Lenzer. FDA hearings confirm risks of antidepressants. BMJ
2004; 329: 641
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests