Citation

Sammons MT. Prof. Psychol. Res. Pr. 2009; 40(4): 327-329.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/a0015440

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Recently observed reductions in the use of antidepressant medication in youth come after a period that many have characterized as being marked by excessive reliance on such agents. The Food and Drug Administration advisory first issued in 2004 clearly influenced this change in clinical practice; however, other factors such as public and expert opinion, medicolegal considerations, and the behavior of pharmaceutical manufacturers also have had some effect. Some have speculated that a reduction in antidepressant use in youth is related to observed increases in suicide rates for this population. Although there has been an increase in the rate of adolescent suicide since 2003, such increases have also been seen in other age and demographic groups. The association between suicide rates and antidepressant use in adolescents or other groups is unclear, and is likely more correlational than causal. © 2009 American Psychological Association.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide; children and adolescents; FDA; antidepressants; psychopharmacology