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Won’t Somebody Think Of The Children?

So, apparently, some parents want SSRIs not to be used in “kids” anymore. Because, you know, it’s got to be the anti-depressants that are causing suicide not, say, THE DEPRESSION THAT THEY’RE BEING TREATED FOR! I’m sorry, but without any sort of proof doctors should continue to prescribe SSRIs when needed. Whether or not the class of drugs is over-prescribed as a whole, well, that’s a different question. And, this has no bearing on MAOIs like Wellbutren, which seem to be a lot better for some folks. My final question is this: Since when is a recent college graduate a child?

“To die in this violent, unusual fashion without making a sound … Paxil must have put her over the edge,” said Sara Bostock, describing how her daughter Cecily stabbed herself in the chest with a kitchen knife shortly after graduating from Stanford University and two weeks after starting the drug.

Yes, Paxil must’ve done it, not the depression. Furthermore, it takes at least two to three weeks for SSRIs to achieve the appropriate levels in one’s system. That is, they’re really not working for at least a couple of weeks after you start. That’s something to consider when looking at suicide right after starting treatment. Also, maybe folks who are put on SSRIs are more depressed and therefore more likely to kill themselves anyway. I hope the FDA looks at all the angles before listening to another emotive interest group.

UPDATE [Thanks To Flood in comments]:

Hairsplitting heads up: Wellbutrin is actually not an MAOI and doesn’t fit the standard categories of anti-depressants.

Next time, I’ll check WebMD

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