There is much kerfuffle over the slight risk of increased suicidality in some people who take SSRI antidepressants (Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, etc.), but here’s a study about the other side of that coin.
Demographic and prescribing data from counties across America show that areas with the highest number of SSRI prescriptions for children and adolescents aged 5-14 also have the lowest suicide rates for that population.
In US counties with the lowest decile of SSRI prescriptions, based on number of pills per person per year, the overall observed suicide rate was as high as 1.7 per 100,000 children per year, whereas for counties with the highest decile of SSRI prescriptions, the suicide rate was as low as 0.7 per 100,000 children per year.
The association between SSRI prescriptions and a reduced suicide rate among children remained significant after taking into account income and access to mental health care.
Thus, Gibbons and team report that the findings “suggest that the risk–benefit ratio in 5–14 year olds may be favorable.”
Read more from MedWire News (free registration required).
Read more: The Relationship Between Antidepressant Prescription Rates and Rate of Early Adolescent Suicide, Gibbons et al., American Journal of Psychiatry, 2006 163: 1898-1904 (subscription required).
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3 Comments to
“SSRIs Lower Child Suicide Rates”
Hey,
Just a shout to say good job. I like what I’m reading.
I’ve just about had enough of all of it how about you?
Wow. Thanks for such a great post!
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 20 Nov 2006
