Citation

Isacsson G, Ahlner J. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2014; 129(4): 296-302.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Psychiatry Southwest, Karolinska University Hospital-Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/acps.12160

PMID

23773187

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in the use of antidepressants among young suicides after the warning that these drugs might increase the risk of suicide. METHOD: Individual data of all 845 suicides in the 10- to 19-year age group in Sweden in the time period 1992-2003 (baseline), and in 2004-2010 (after the warning). Outcome data are prescriptions of antidepressants prior to death and detections of antidepressants in post-mortem toxicology. RESULTS: After the warning, suicide in this age group increased for five consecutive years (60.5%). The increase occurred among individuals not treated with antidepressants. CONCLUSION: This study provides further support for the hypothesis that the warning, contrary to its intention, may have increased young suicides by leaving a number of suicidal young persons without treatment with antidepressants.

Language: en