The increased use of antidepressants has contributed to the worldwide reduction in suicide rates.
Numerous ecological studies have shown an inverse association between antidepressant use and suicide rates and a smaller number of individual-based studies have shown an association between current antidepressant use and reduced suicide risk. Such evidence is often cited in support of the notion that antidepressants prevent suicide. However, more recently, the premises underlying this proposition, namely that suicide is caused by depression and that antidepressants relieve depression, have been challenged and the potential harm caused by antidepressants has been highlighted. In this article, Goran Isacsson and Charles Rich debate with Jon Jureidini and Melissa Raven the motion that the increased use of antidepressants has contributed to the worldwide reduction in suicide rates.
Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge, M59, Stockholm S-14186, Sweden. goran.isacsson@sll.se
Göran
G
Isacsson
Charles L
CL
Rich
Jon
J
Jureidini
Melissa
M
Raven
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000928:Antidepressive Agents