The latest research validates the worrying rise in suicidality connected to the use of antidepressants. The study’s findings are in line with FDA’s 2004 black box warning, as pointed out by CCHR.
Recently, a study published in Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry revealed a disturbing quantity of suicides associated with antidepressants from 2003 to 2020. According to CCHR, these findings merely substantiate the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2004 black box warning about the heightened risk of suicidal thoughts due to antidepressant use.
The investigation led by the University of East London scrutinized media coverage of almost 8,000 coroners’ inquests, identifying antidepressants as contributing factors in 2,718 hanging cases and 933 overdose fatalities. Furthermore, the study associated medication use with an additional 979 suicides through various methods such as jumping or falling, drowning, self-inflicted gun injuries, or incidents involving fire or electrocution.
Dr. John Read, the study’s principal investigator and a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of East London commented, “If the main aim of prescribing ADs [Antidepressants] is to prevent suicides, then it’s clear from this data that the drugs failed for several thousand individuals.” He added, “Antidepressants not only fail to lessen suicidality, but they can also heighten it for many. For some, these drugs even provide the means to commit suicide.”
The research concluded that “ADs are ineffective for many individuals. The reports document numerous deaths of people who committed suicide despite being on ADs, and over a thousand who used the very drugs intended to mitigate their depression as their means to suicide.”
Although these findings are undoubtedly disconcerting, they aren’t entirely unexpected. Almost two decades back, in 2004, the FDA issued a black box warning highlighting the increased suicidality risk among children and adolescents using antidepressants. This crucial warning was long overdue. As early as 1991, and largely due to CCHR’s efforts, the FDA held hearings about the antidepressant drug fluoxetine, during which numerous consumers testified that the drug-induced psychotic, suicidal, and homicidal tendencies in previously unaffected individuals. However, because of the vested interests of the FDA board members voting, the public was not protected. It took another 13 years and significant pressure from Congress for the FDA to finally issue its most severe warning, the black box. This confirmed that antidepressants could induce suicidal thoughts and actions in individuals under 18, later extended to those under 25.
Despite these cautions, a significant portion of the public remains oblivious to the risks of antidepressants, including suicidal ideation. The number of individuals prescribed antidepressants in the U.S. is quite alarming. According to IQVia (previously IMS Health), a prominent pharmaceutical analytics company:
- Antidepressants are prescribed to 45 million Americans, among which:
- 2.1 million are children aged 0-17.
- 35,216 are children aged 0-5.
The underlying premise for prescribing antidepressants, the chemical imbalance theory, has been disproven scientifically. A groundbreaking study in 2022, led by Dr. Joanna Moncrieff, Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London, debunked the notion that depression results from a chemical imbalance that necessitates antidepressant treatment. The study found no scientific evidence supporting this widely propagated belief. After reviewing 17 major studies spanning several decades, the research team concluded that there’s no compelling evidence to support this claim.
CCHR is advocating for more transparency about the potential side effects of antidepressants. Physicians must be conscientious in fully disclosing all potential adverse reactions, including the possibility of suicidal tendencies. Consumers should make an effort to understand the FDA’s Medication Guides, which are accessible online and specifically highlight the heightened risk of suicidal thoughts or actions.
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If you or a loved one has been negatively affected by antidepressants, it’s crucial to take action now. Parker Waichman LLP is committed to advocating for victims of harmful medication side effects. Our expert legal team can help you understand your rights, explore your options, and potentially pursue legal action.
Don’t let the harmful side effects of antidepressants go unnoticed. Stand up for your rights and those of your loved ones. You are not alone in this fight, and you deserve justice. At Parker Waichman LLP, we are here to support and guide you every step of the way.
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