Depression and suicide in young people:the continuing debate

Depression and suicide in young people:the continuing debate: "Depression and suicide in young people:the continuing debate
Marilyn Robb. Ph.D.


Gardiner Harris (September 2004) in his New York Times article. (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/12/health... states that ' In 2001, some 1,611 teenagers committed suicide, making it the third leading cause of death among 15- to-19-year-olds. By the age of 18, one out of five teenagers has suffered a period of intense depression, studies show.'

Jeanie Lerche Davies(September 2004)reports (http://my.webmd.com/content/article/94/1... that fewer young people are taking anti -depressants today . In her article she states that ...'Over 20% fewer children and adolescents are taking antidepressants compared with late 2003, says Glen Stettin, MD, a vice president with Medco Health Solutions Inc.,'. This is partly contributed to the controversy that erupted after the FDA put out a warning about suicide tendencies in children being associated with anti-depressant drugs.

In her article Davies reports that 'In October 2003, the FDA issued a warning that children and teens that take antidepressant drugs to treat major depression may face a higher suicide risk. And in February 2004, an FDA advisory panel recommended stronger warnings about the risk of suicide in kids who take antidepressant drugs.'"

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posted by Robert Heard at 1:28 PM