Essay about Anti-Depressants and Teen Suicide - 2777 Words

Abstract Two percent of preteens and five percent of adolescents suffer from depression (www.about-teen-depression.com 2014). There are specific signs and symptoms associated with depression, which are helpful in detection of the illness. There are various ways to treat depression, such as medication, group therapy, and/or herbal supplements. There are pros and cons with each treatment, but the worst coincides with the medication –suicide. Much research has been conducted, which will be discussed in the paper that has shown a link to antidepressants and suicide. However, there is also evidence that the suicide rate could be decreased with proper diagnosis and early, supervised treatment for depression, especially when dealing with†¦show more content†¦There are still several options for treatment that you must choose from, as well as having to deal with side effects that accompany each treatment. Of all the treatments, antidepressants tend to have the most side effect s. Some of the side effects common to all three types of antidepressants are: anxiety, vomiting, confusion, chest pain, blurred vision, irritability, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, weight gain, headache, and nervousness (Cheung et al. 2003, Vanderkooy et al. 2002). Some other, more severe, side effects are difficulty urinating, decreased appetite, heart complications, and suicide (Simon and Stern 2003 - Review). It is the last side effect, suicide, which has recently caused some controversy within the medical field. With recent research showing a correlation between antidepressants and suicide, as well as the FDA ordering warning labels for suicide on antidepressant medication, physicians have to be careful prescribing the drugs, especially to children and adolescents. Statistics show suicide to be the third leading cause of death among 13-19 year olds, with approximately 6000 suicide deaths each year (Dickinson 1999). Because of statistics like this, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) researchers are vying to find interventions to help prevent suicide among children and adolescents. However, until then, the best prevention appears to lie in early diagnosisShow MoreRelatedAnti Depressants in Teens727 Words   |  3 PagesAre anti-depressants a medication or a mental steroid?† (Kramer). For many years there has been an ongoing talk about anti-depressants. The big question is, are they really a cure for depression or just a mental steroid. An anti-depressant is a medication used to treat depression and other anxiety disorders. When proscribed to children and teens there can be severe side effects such as an increased chance to commit suicide or have suicidal thoughts or actions. This risk of suicide is higher forRead Moreâ€Å"Dy ing Before Their Time: The Startling Trends in Adolescent Suicide†1217 Words   |  5 PagesAmerican Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), suicide is the third leading cause of death for adolescents aged 15-24 years old. This calculates to 33,000 adolescents killing themselves each year (CDC, 2010). The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), reported that suicide amongst all individuals nation wide has declined over all, but despite the decline, adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 have shown suicide rates that has increased by 6 percent (NCSL, 2005). The mostRead MoreTeen Suicide Essay1495 Words   |  6 PagesSuicide is the act or an instance of taking one’s life. Many different factors can cause suicide such as, bullying, mental disorders, or other complicated situations. Over the years, teen suicide ratings have been steadily increasing. 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Depression is a highly treatable disease with treatments ranging from therapy to the use of prescribed medication. Recent studies have shown that healthy lifestyle changes can also be an effective treatment for teenage depression and is a much cheaper alternative to more expensive treatment options. A healthy lifestyle can alter one’s brain chemistry thus improving teens mental health, and through healthful eating and daily exercise adolescents and teens can treat andRead MoreEssay on Causes of Depression in the Millennial Generation1523 Words   |  7 PagesCauses of Depression in the Millennial Generation Depression has possibly at one time affected or currently affects almost every living individual worldwide. Kids, teens, and young adults in the twentieth century were always identified as more susceptible to feeling depressed, typically due to nothing more than normal changes of physical and mental maturity. However, in her book Generation Me, Jean M. Twenge addresses that â€Å"being young has not always carried such a high risk of being anxious, depressedRead MoreHow to Prevent Depression and Suicide Among Teens751 Words   |  4 Pagesadolescents commit suicide each year, and the U.S. Society often ignores the signs leading up to teen suicide. Then they notice when it’s too late. Unfortunately, we say â€Å"We didn’t see the signs†, and we blame society, however, we don’t realize that we are society. Words probably hurt us more than anything else. Bullying can push someone to their breaking point, leading them to believe that they aren’t wort h it, and they start thinking about suicide. Statistics show that suicide is the second leadingRead MoreSsri s For Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor1651 Words   |  7 Pagesappearance. It is also common that children may also begin using drugs or alcohol, especially if they are over the age of twelve. Suicide is a very real concern in today’s young depressed population young, it is a fact that children do attempt suicide (Stone, 2014). Many children may do so impulsively when they are upset or angry. Girls are more likely to attempt suicide, but boys are more likely to actually kill themselves when they make an attempt. Depression has become a very problematic mentalRead MoreDoes Antidepressants Use in Teenagers Increase Suicide Rates?1039 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction Teen depression is a serious condition that can be a devastating problem for both the child and parent. It is a disorder that reduces their moods thus causing loss of interest in things they should enjoy and make them irritable. In this literature review we are going to examine the use of antidepressants to treat teen depression. It will also look at the risks of suicides increased as a result of taking antidepressants and the measures taken to reduce this problem. Can antidepressantsRead More Teenagers and Suicide Essay1190 Words   |  5 Pagesdeath amongst teenagers: Suicide Did you know that suicide is currently the third leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States? (4). In 1992, more teenagers and young adults died from suicide than those who died from stroke, cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined (4). Suicide is definitely a compelling problem amongst youth in the U.S today. It is estimated that 300 to 400 teen suicides occur per year in Los Angeles