Wonder Drug Essay

Researchers performed a single-blind randomized trial with 665 patients with major depressive disorder. Participants received one of the three treatments: escitalopram plus placebo, bupropion sustained release plus escitalopram, or venlafaxine extended release (XR) plus mirtazapine. They used the Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report to measure suicidal ideation and behaviors. The researchers found that baseline ideation did not contribute to elevated suicide risks. They also found that the treatment group that was taking Bupropion-SR with escitalopram had the greatest effect in reducing suicide ideation. Although this study does not pertain to the adolescent population, it is useful because it demonstrates the most effective combination of antidepressants and its success in reducing suicide

There are different therapies that are used to help treat those who have suicidal ideation, behaviors, and attempts. For individuals to be successful in recovery one or more treatments may be necessary. Succession of recovery is a group effort and wiliness between individuals, family, friends, psychiatrists, and therapists. A traditional anti-depressive medication treatment is started to help reduce negative thoughts (Rovick, 2016). These medications increase serotonin levels in the brain to increase happier thoughts. However; depending on the individual, multiple medications are prescribed to target each symptom displayed. In some cases mood stabilizers or anti-psychotics are needed in correlation with the anti-depressants. Individuals with depression and PTSD are prescribed a SSRI and a medication to target the PTSD. Medications do not work quickly, the average time for depressive

Antidepressant drugs taken by children have been linked to increased risk of suicide. Exasperated mental health professionals began prescribing antidepressants to children and teens in large proportions in the 1990’s, even though studied safety of such drugs for use in minors had not been conducted. Consequently, standard growth models and brain development may be impaired by the use of these drugs. Moreover, children may be risking one evil for another as adult years could prove to hold adverse side effects and health risks from prolonged use of these drugs.

Antidepressant drugs, which can be lifesaving, are being underused in young people. Their use fell significantly after the Food and Drug Administration issued its black-box warning in October of 2004, stating that all antidepressants were associated with a risk of increased suicidal feeling, thinking and behavior in adolescents; later on that warning was extended to young adults (Friedman 1). The Food and Drug Administration-FDA ordered drug companies to place a black-box warning on antidepressant drugs, this would then allow parents to see the side effects the drug might come with. As antidepressants can have its benefits, it is not the only way to treat a mental illness like depression. The majority of parents believe antidepressant is the only treatment and that psychotherapy is a waste of time and money. “About 80 percent of people with depression respond positively to professional medical treatment--usually talk therapy, medication or a combination of both--and almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms. Unfortunately, less than half of those with depression seek treatment(Clayton

Not only may medications be less effective than therapy, medication can have serious side effects that can make them dangerous, especially in children. “The link between antidepressants and suicide rates among children and adolescents is a very serious issue that both Congress and the FDA are investigating” (Davis). Medication meant to help with serious depression cannot be considered beneficial if it causes the patient to consider

Even though antidepressants serve as a temporary relief for teens with depression, they should not be considered an effective treatment to cure depression due to the side effects, risk of addiction, and increase thoughts of suicide. “Teen depression is a serious condition that affects emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Issues such as peer pressure, academic expectations, and changing bodies can bring a lot of ups and downs for teens” (Mayo Clinic). Depression does not discriminate; no matter what race, gender, or religion, depression can turn a person’s life upside down if they do not handle it correctly. “Depression usually starts between the ages of fifteen and thirty” (WebMD). Teen depression may be more common among members of a family

The argument regarding the use of antidepressants has been increasing over time. With our lives more stressed than ever, the age in which they are being prescribed also become younger. As a society where ‘there is a pill for that’, have we completely ignored traditional medicine? Are we setting the youth up for failure for not addressing the underlining problem, or is the answer upping the legal age of the use? The answer is yes, we are essentially setting our kids up for an unsure future. With the uncertainty of these prescriptions, we allow their minds and bodies to be exploited for financial gain by the top rated pharmaceutical companies.

However, there are multiple theories. Patients of all ages use antidepressants because the drugs tend to alleviate depression in a relatively safe manner (“Antidepressant Drugs” 2). Supporters of antidepressants say that the drugs play an important role in easing the suffering of millions of Americans who suffer from depression. They say that by making treatment of depression easier, the drugs have allowed many people to overcome the stigma associated with depression (5). The adolescent suicide rate declined about 15% in the United States between 1985 and 1999, while use antidepressants in that age group was rising by nearly 70% (Harvard Mental Health Letter, May 2005, 3). It can be concluded from this statistic that antidepressants most likely were the reason for the decline in adolescent

One in every 25 adolescents is prescribed antidepressants to help manage depression. Depression is a serious mental illness that affects how people feel, think and behave. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. People may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes they feel as if life isn't worth living. Doctors and physicians prescribe antidepressants as a treatment to patients who show signs of depression or have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD). Antidepressant

Medications have side effects and are often used in suicide attempts while psychotherapy teaches the patient the essential skills to help avert depression which is less cost-effective and more flourishing in preventing future relapses.

This is an accurate representation of medication for depression. It does not make you want to live, it does not fix your thinking, it just makes you functional. It allows you to do things you wouldn’t usually be able to, and maybe after a while you will be able to function on your own.

Today review evidence-based treatment fashion in Children and adolescents. We will also review new Suicide Prevention guidelines

As the literature remains inconclusive as to the relation between current major treatment modalities and depressive disorder, and given the extremities of the potential dangers of antidepressant medications, it is apparent that there is a need to develop new interventions, which show greater efficacy, safety, and acceptability.

The first step to treating many of these new cases of depression is the prescription and use of antidepressant medication, however this has cause a mass flooding of our society with unnecessary prescription drugs. Due to the ease of treatment, primarily with prescription drugs, and the large range of severity in depression is often over diagnosed, adding to the problem.

Today’s teenagers are faced with the ever changing world around them and the biological changes of their bodies. Many teens are also faced with depression. Approximately half of teenagers with untreated depression may attempt suicide, which remains the third leading cause of death in this age group. (Bostic). This depression affects their school, family lives, and robs them of their self image. Depression affects many teens and often goes by unnoticed and untreated.