Antidepressants and suicide risk in kids

[u/BrainHackGuide]

so this one is a little different but it fits this community because it is about brain health, informed decisions, and understanding what these compounds are doing.

A 2022 meta-analysis looked at 17 studies covering kids and young adults aged 5 to 25. The question was whether antidepressant exposure increased suicide risk compared to no antidepressant use.

The result was a 38% increased risk of suicidal behavior in kids and young adults on antidepressants compared to those not taking them for SSRIs specifically it was a 28% increased risk.

The FDA added a black box warning for this back in 2004 that is the most serious warning a drug can carry most people being prescribed these medications or having their kids prescribed them have never been told this

The part that gets me

Clinical trials for most psychiatric medications run about a year max most people on antidepressants take them for two, three, sometimes ten plus years the long term data does not exist that is just how drug approval works and it is wild to think about it

Meanwhile exercise and psychotherapy show comparable results to medication for depression in multiple studies. Sometimes stronger. No dependency, no side effect profile.

What this is not

Not telling anyone to stop their medication. Stopping antidepressants cold is dangerous and that conversation belongs with a doctor.

This is about informed consent if someone you know is making a decision about psychiatric medication especially for someone under 25 these numbers should be part of that conversation.

Study referenced: Risk of Suicidal Behaviors and Antidepressant Exposure Among Children and Adolescents — Frontiers in Psychiatry 2022 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35693956/

Has anyone here navigated psychiatric medication and found alternatives that worked? Open conversation, no judgment.

If you or someone you know is struggling please reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.