Depression Medication - Suicide and Antidepressants

[Calvinist4Him]

Several recent scientific publications suggest the possibility of an increased risk for suicidal behavior in adults who are being treated with antidepressant medications. Even before these reports became available, the FDA began a complete review of all available data to determine whether there is an increased risk of suicidality (suicidal thinking or behavior) in adults being treated with antidepressant medications. It is expected that this review will take a year or longer to complete. In the meantime, FDA is highlighting that:

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Adults being treated with antidepressant medications, particularly those being treated for depression, should be watched closely for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking or behavior. Close watching may be especially important early in treatment, or when the dose is changed, either increased or decreased.
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Adults whose symptoms worsen while being treated with antidepressant drugs, including an increase in suicidal thinking or behavior, should be evaluated by their health care professional. - http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/SSRI200507.htm


Based on what I've been reading on the FDA site, I'm inclined to think that depression medication may not be a long term solution, perhaps not a solution at all, and in some cases make the problem worse. Some months ago I stopped taking EFFEXOR (Venlafaxine) which my family doctor prescribed to me. After skimming over articles at the FDA site, articles like: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/patient/venlafaxinePIS.htm and

Among antidepressants, only Prozac (fluoxetine) is approved for the treatment of pediatric major depressive disorder. Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Luvox (fluvoxamine) are approved for pediatric obsessive compulsive disorder. None of these drugs is approved as monotherapy for use in treating bipolar depression, either in adults or children. - http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/AntidepressanstPHA.htm

I am inclined to find a new family doctor. The antidepressant drug I was put on doesn't appear to be FDA approved (maybe somebody can show otherwise), and is still in the experiemental stages. I was given "free" samples, no doubt with the hopes of selling me the new drug (plus kickbacks). Which seems to indicate that my family doctor is more concerned about selling drugs than my health (guess I shouldn't be surprised :shrug: ). It seems that if he were concerned about my health, he would have put me on an FDA approved and more widely used antidepressant. I don't think he checked my family history for bipolar either. :sigh:

Anybody have advice on how to get comprehensive information on doctors? I would like to know about a doctor's credentials, history, background, etc. before going to him for medical help.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Unless you qualify as pediatric, then your med was FDA approved. There are very few approved for children. With my major depression five years ago, the meds were an absolute necessity (I was given Serzone). It is tough to make this suicide/SSRI link because you are dealing with a group that is likely to have such thoughts to begin with.

I had briefly been on Effexor - it had horrible side effects for me - some people have found Effexor is the only one that works for them.

However, meds are not the only answer, some sort of therapy is always recommended. I did see a Christian therapist as well during that incident about five years ago and also received biblical counseling.

I also think it is important to find someone who shares similar issues. I am fortunate to have a dear friend who also has ocd and we can joke about it - and support each other. Unfortunately the unscrupulous (or perhaps it is just classless) exploit the open-ness of people who admit to having such issues.

But as my doctor explained - many people just have icky lives and it is bumming them out, and there is no "happy pill" to solve that - that is why therapy is important.

Things such as OCD are a bit easier in that it is not just because someone is unhappy with something in life - it is a disorder.

[Dee Dee Warren]

Also C4Him, a family doctor really isn't qualified for long-term recommendations on psychotropic meds, a psychiatrist is necessary for that. Contrary to public ignorance, psychiatrists are not the guys who have you lie down on a couch and tell them about your childhood or what ink blots look like - they are doctors who specialize in prescribing the right medications. Some people are reluctant to go to one because they think there is the stigma that then they are "crazy" - no - it is the same reason that the family doc was prescribing meds, but from someone much more qualified to do so.

[Calvinist4Him]

Unless you qualify as pediatric, then your med was FDA approved. There are very few approved for children.

Ahh...I didn't know that, thanks! I feel slightly better about my family doctor now. However, he didn't check up on me when I quit taking the medication. I stopped taking it cold turkey, which isn't recommended.


With my major depression five years ago, the meds were an absolute necessity (I was given Serzone). It is tough to make this suicide/SSRI link because you are dealing with a group that is likely to have such thoughts to begin with.

I think you might have a point.


I had briefly been on Effexor - it had horrible side effects for me - some people have found Effexor is the only one that works for them.

It didn't do much for me, it might have taken a little edge off, but after being on it for awhile, I started feeling kind of weird, like an emotionless drone or something.


However, meds are not the only answer, some sort of therapy is always recommended. I did see a Christian therapist as well during that incident about five years ago and also received biblical counseling.

I didn't and do not have counseling as an option.


I also think it is important to find someone who shares similar issues. I am fortunate to have a dear friend who also has ocd and we can joke about it - and support each other. Unfortunately the unscrupulous (or perhaps it is just classless) exploit the open-ness of people who admit to having such issues.

I agree, but finding that someone can be a chore. Btw, how can a person know if they have ocd or not? I suspect there are varying degrees of ocd?


But as my doctor explained - many people just have icky lives and it is bumming them out, and there is no "happy pill" to solve that - that is why therapy is important.

It sounds like you have a wise doctor.


Things such as OCD are a bit easier in that it is not just because someone is unhappy with something in life - it is a disorder.

All I know is that life is complicated. If it's not spiritual warfare, it's sin, if it's not sin, it's depression, if it's not depression, it's _______________ (insert icky personal reality or something bad from the news).

[Dee Dee Warren]

If you have OCD you would likely know it. Some persons have always had it (like me) and some develop it in adulthood. There are different kinds of OCD as well and the problem with OCD is that it often triggers depression.

Speak with your church about a counselor - maybe find some support forums geared towards this subject. Be very assertive about what you will and won't try or do - too many people are passive with their medical care. I do not know what kind of insurance you have if any, but they will pay usually for therapy and they have lists based on faith, so I was able to specifically request a Christian. Get a referral to a psychiatrist - a psychiatrist will be much more qualified to see if this is a "need meds" situation and can do what family docs usually won't - try a combination. Sometimes an SSRI alone doesn't do it - sometimes there are lower doses but a combo of an SSRI and a tricyclic. But I cannot overemphasize cognitive therapy and biblical counseling (but be cautious there as there are well meaning biblical counselors who are of the "all you need is faith and you will be healed" which only makes the sufferer feel guilty for their malady.