Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Teenage Suicide Rates: What is Causing it to Increase?

Over the past decade in the United States youth suicide rates have steadily been declining. Most of this is credited to increased education; more outreach programs, better support systems, as well as more individuals accessing treatments, including prescription drugs, for psychological problems like depression. However, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Annual Summary of Vital Statistics published last month, the suicide rates sharply rose more than eighteen percent in youths from the ages of one to nineteen years old: from 2.2 per 100,000 in 2003, to 2.6 per 100,000 in 2004, and from 1,737 total suicide deaths in 2003 to 1,985 in 2004. Specifically in those youths from the ages of fifteen to nineteen, the figures reflected more than a twelve percent increase in suicide, from 7.3 per 100,000 in 2003 to 8.2 per 100,000 in 2004. Curiously the rise coincided with the inception of the Food and Drug Administration’s mandated heightened warnings, on the labels of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, a particular kind of antidepressant medication that includes Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. These “black box” warnings, as they are better known, were added in March 2004 over growing concerns that the drugs led to an increase in suicidal thinking in patients. The prescribing of these medications to children subsequently dropped by over twenty percent.


Since it is well documented that black box warnings can indeed deter some patients from taking certain medication, some mental health professionals are openly criticizing the FDA’s decision to place them on SSRIs. "Patients will be frightened off appropriate treatment," stated Dr. Alex Vuckovic, medical director of The Pavilion at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. "It's already happening to child psychiatrists and their patients. These drugs save lives—end of story, no ambiguity." The nonprofit group Mental Health America has also called for a further look into the FDA's decision to strengthen warnings on SSRIs. "As a result of the agency's activities, dramatic decreases in the use of SSRIs in the adolescent population were noted," said David Shern, president of Mental Health America in a statement issued on February 5th. "Other research has indicated a general relationship between the use of SSRIs and decreasing suicide rates in the general population. We must therefore wonder if the FDA's actions and the subsequent decrease in access to these antidepressants have caused an increase in youth suicide." He added, “This is a disturbing reversal of progress.”

Although there does appear to be a correlative relationship between an increase in youth suicide rates and the reduction of SSRI prescriptions, due to black box warnings, I find it a bit impulsive and irresponsible on the part of critics who hastily point the finger of blame at the FDA. I wholeheartedly agree that the trend is alarming and quite unsettling; however the problem with examining such an immense subject like national youth suicide rates and the explanations of any increase is that it is extremely complicated and difficult, since there are almost an infinite amount of unknown variables that may have an influence on behavior. How can we be sure which one is responsible? Without any solid empirical study examining causative factors in this increase, one simply cannot make factually-based claims, as did Dr. Charles Nemeroff, chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine, who bluntly said “I have no doubt that there is such a relationship.” That is a bold and unsupported statement that many other scientists completely disagree with. It would be unwise to forget one of the most fundamental principles of good scientific research: correlation is not causation. We must get to the bottom of this tragedy but we can not be so quick as to rush to any conclusion that may possibly alter and have lingering effects on public policy, research and/or treatment decisions, without sufficient data. In the meanwhile we must continue to support existing programs and further educate ourselves and our children about the seriousness of this issue and remain ever so vigilant to any potential problems that may arise and act upon them as soon as possible.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Xanax is indeed one of the highly sought after anti-anxiety medications but while using Xanax, you should be cautious of xanax side-effects and certain xanax withdrawal symptoms. The side-effects triggered off by Xanax gradually disappear over time and as far as the withdrawal symptoms of xanax are concerned, it is worth noting that you are likely to become a victim of xanax withdrawal symptoms if you use xanax for a longer period of time. Some of the xanax withdrawal symptoms are panic attacks, extreme anxiety, headache et al and as soon as you fall prey to these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. http://www.xanax-effects.com /

Unknown said...

excellent and worrying information Teenage Suicide Rates: What is Causing it to Increase? this is a great question, I'm looking information about meds online like a Generic Viagra, do you have some blog about it? thank for sharing this post

Generic Viagra Online said...

hello buddy congratulation you did a great work with this information about Teenage Suicide Rates: What is Causing it to Increase? this information is very useful and important!! thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

Best treatment for it is just simple cheap sidlenafil citrate tablets

Tadalafil said...

hey friend excellent post about Teenage Suicide Rates: What is Causing it to Increase? thanks

libido pills said...

amazing information about Teenage Suicide Rates: What is Causing it to Increase? this topic is very interesting and important to know more about the younger

buy propecia said...

"Awesome new job"? Assuming that you aren't being sarcastic and your new job really is awesome, congratulations. I hope to be able to use that phrase sometime soon as well.
I'm all for clitoral stimulators, but yes, seeing that device under the wholesome banner of The Vermont Country Store is jarring. Even online!

health wellness said...

Excellent blog, I'm looking for information on how to improve my health, so I would like to help me with advice on the subject, thanks!

Therapists said...

Teen Suicide Statistics and Facts - get help for a suicidal teen, facts on teenage suicide, and adolescent depression. Warning Signs of a suicidal teenager, prevention help for adolescent suicide, including issues and causes - help for teen depression.

acomplia cheap said...

I watched documentary film about Zoloft drug. Zoloft 100% increase to suicide.

generic cialis 20mg said...

Hi, well be sensible, well-all described

pay per head said...

I love the way the people here interact and shared their opinions too. I would love to track your future posts pertaining to the said topic we are able to read.

buy youtube views said...

Thank you for an additional good post. Exactly where else could anybody get that kind of information and facts in these a perfect way of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m around the appear for like facts.

Anti-Anxiety Online said...

Thanks for share this excellent post about teenage suicide rates, I think that the cause of this problem is simple, the pression because in this age is very difficult to know what you really want and many teenagers dont have nobody to teach them about the life. This is my point of view what do you think?

Regards,
Guillermo

Female Viagra Online said...

I agree with Guillermo this age is so difficult, we need to talk frequently with our sons to prevent this kind of misfortunes.

Regards,
Stephany

Elliott Broidy said...

The need to be accepted and bullying I think.