The result, Laughren states, "is entirely consistent with FDA's advice in labeling, which indicates that clinicians should 'balance this risk with the clinical need.'"
Researchers have not extensively studied the effects of antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs on children and adolescents, and Bridge stresses that the trials reviewed for the new study last no more than a few months. Before drawing any firm conclusions, he adds, "I would just like to know a little bit more about the long-term effects."
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Add CommentInterestingly, what is never asked is this: why are these children depressed? The establishment wants you to believe it is because of an imbalance of monamines in the brain (i.e. the serotonin hypothesis, the norepinephrine hypothesis, etc.) It is not so simple. What is causing these supposed imbalances? Do these supposed imbalances even truly exist and are these drugs really restoring normal, healthy brain function? People will often make the simple claim that SSRIs work by "blocking serotonin reuptake," thereby making "more serotonin available in the synapse." The brain is not so simple and stupid. By making more serotonin available in the synapse, the brain responds by downregulating post-synaptic serotonin receptors, among other things. There is also evidence that SSRIs and other antidepressants enter the cytosol of neurons via receptor mediated endocytosis and bind to intracellur receptors, which subsequently affect gene expression. Their actions are not so simple. Also, condidering serotonin is really more of a neuromodulator than a neurotransmitter and that its effects are metabotropic and wide spread, what are these SSRIs doing to the brain metabolically in the long term? What are they doing to the rest of the body (e.g. the digestive system) where there are serotonin receptors?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhy don't we examine what is so troubling in the lives of our young people that would make them depressed; their school environment, their parenting and home life, our society as a whole? Giving people antidepressants is like giving morphine to treat a gunshot wound. The patient will say he/she feels better, but there is still a problem. However, it is much easier to simply give someone a pill than it is to effect changes in their environment. Why change our schools, our parenting, our society when we can shove a drug down someone's throat? Plus, drug companies are making billions of dollars from the sales of these meds. Who wants to compete with that?
In order for the trials to truly determine the risk vs. benefit of these drugs, especially when it comes to suicidal thoughts/behavior, they need to be much more long-term. The first week I was on Cymbalta was a personal hell, but I have been stable on it ever since, and have not had any significant recurrence of passive suicidal behavior, to which I was prone before. While the drugs can trigger thoughts of self-harm, when one is starting any antidepressant s/he is (or should be) aware of the risk, as are family and friends, and the individual should be monitored closely. Breakdowns can be overcome as long as they have a support system ready to respond. One of the major benefits of antidepressants for me is that I no longer feel fear for my own safety when I am alone. When I was first emerging from a deep depression, this was a major stressor that I was thankful to be able to let go with the help of medication, and the relief of not feeling "insane" is something I can't really describe.
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