Syndicated news services lie about antidepressant drugs

ok. I understand how this is confusing and seems to be a deliberate cover-up of adverse effects of these medications. But the truth is that the results are far more complicated than either report suggests.

The primary problem with increased suicide rates among depressed people who begin antidepressant treatment (of pretty much any kind) is that the medications sometimes alleviate what are known as "vegetative symptoms" before they improve the mood symptoms. Therefore, in the first few weeks that a person starts the medication like Paxil or Prozac etc... there is in increased risk that they will continue to feel suicidally depressed but will experience higher energy levels and an increase in motivation (both of which are primary vegetative symptoms). When you have a person who is both suicidal and has energy and motivation then you have someone who is at very high risk of carrying out a suicide attempt. The fatigue and lack of motivation and interest that generally accompany depression are actually protecting many people from taking any action to kill themselves.

So the likelihood of suicide attempt is drastically increased, yes like 400%, for the first weeks or months but will decrease as the medications improve mood symptoms and the overall quality of life.

The report that they are equally safe is just telling us that none of these drugs has a greater likelihood of suicide attempt as a side effect, not that any of them lack the general increased risk that antidepressants carry.

These medications are not perfect but they have helped many seriously ill people live happy and satisfying lives because they ARE effective at alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Any reputable psychiatrist will carefully weigh the risks of medication against the risks of non-treatment before they decide to prescribe any drug to one of their patients. They will also keep track of how the patient responds to medication and hopefully ask them to call immediately if they experience any increase in suicidal thoughts because we know that this does sometimes happen. In the USA, at least, most pharmacies offer a consultation with the pharmacist whenever a person begins taking a new medication. With these medications the pharmacist will warn the consumer about the risk of increased suicidal thoughts. The medication bottle will also have a label to warn the person about these risks.

I hope this helps make a little more sense of this. We have a real problem of journalists reporting on scientific studies without accurately or sufficiently explaining the actual results of the study.

TRUE what you just said, you start a med an you feel worse for the first 2 weeks or more. Thats the med trying to enter you damaged mind to repair it. There is a conflict of med an depression as they battle it out , makeing the first few weeks a testing time, thats why a lot of people bail out in the first few weeks, they think the med is makeing the worse .But its the no pain no gain sindrome you have to battle through. Sure some commit suicide as there pain is to much an there not finding instant results in there med.BBBBBBBBBBBBut there a lot more people commit suicide who dont take meds, that do take them, The choise is yours dont take meds an stay sick an mabye kill yourself ,or take meds an get better, but with meds you get worse for a few weeks before the results start. Its the people in distress who carnt wait that are at risk. I would have been dead years ago without meds, im not happy with side effects but im not dead either.

This person has only made two posts - both anti-medicine excerpts from the blog they are advertising in their signature link.

It looks like an attempt to advertise their website to me, although spreading distrust and doubt about the effectiveness of treatment in a place like this just to get some free advertising is pretty low.

No one here is a professional and any concerns or questions about medication should be directed towards a relevant professional.

Cracked