In the recent years, suicide rate among kids has rocketed startlingly, as per the report transpired by CDC. This is definitely a matter of serious concern. In this regard Dr. David Fassler, a University of Vermont psychiatry professor, observers, ‘This is very disturbing news.’ Before we go ahead with this issue, here is a wrap up of the main points that came to the fore through this investigation:-

1. The suicide rate climbed 18% from 2003 to 2004 for Americans under age 20.

2. Most suicides occurred in older teens.

3. The suicide rate among 15- to 19-year-olds fell in previous years from 11 per 100,000 in 1990 to 7.3 per 100,000 in 2003.

4. Suicides were the main cause of death that increased for children through age 19 from 2003-04.

5. During this period, use of antidepressant among children came down.

The above fact raises a question that - Can this much of rise in suicide cases among kids be attributed to the decreased use of antidepressants? But while mulling over this issue, we can also not keep a blind eye to previous studies, focusing on the same issue, which have expounded the view that taking antidepressants to fight depression may worsen the situation. At the same time, some studies have gone to the extent associating antidepressants with suicidal behaviors. Here is a look:-

1. Children and teens at increased risk for suicide with antidepressants, says FDA.

2. Antidepressants may worsen the condition.

3. Antidepressants a Suicide Risk for Young Adults.

4. Antidepressants and suicide.

5. Adults’ antidepressant bone risk.

6. Antidepressants Increase Suicide Risks?

Interestingly, there is no privation of such claims too that have dubbed antidepressants as a potent weapon against mental disorder, especially depression. Here is a brief look:-

1. Study: Benefits of Antidepressants Outweigh Risks

2. Who benefits from antidepressants?

3. Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for children and adolescents

4. Antidepressants: advantages in the management of depression.

The main purpose behind pulling out these paradoxical studies is to bring before the readers the point that studies conducted on the association of antidepressants and suicide have just nourished the Gordian knot further. Perhaps that is the reason why CDC’s Dr. Alexander Crosby avers:

It’s something that we want to look a little bit closer into... It’s probably too early to say” if declining use of antidepressants had anything to do with it.

Still, it would not be wrong to say that the main issue, which has come to the surface through this study i.e. ’suicide rate among kids is on the rise’, is definitely obfuscating that cries for deeper study.

Image credit: corvinae.blogs.sapo

Via: USA Today