Anti depressants in the news

A few highlights from the research concerning anti depressant medication.

SSRI anti depressants (see link below to explain the jargon!) have been shown to have an effect after one week rather than two to four weeks as previously assumed claims a review of 50 controlled trials.

Archives of General Psychiatry (2006) 63: 1217-1223

Researchers claim that there is an increase in attempted suicide by patients taking anti depressant medication but rates of sucess were decreased. This could be explained by the use of anti depressants in suicide attempts as opposed to other more violent methods. Reasons for the increase may include increased motivation and energy without a shift in circumstance or environment once the anti depressant starts to have effect.

Archives of General Psychiatry (2006) 63: 1358-1367

SSRI anti depressant medication may be linked to an increase in violence and hostile acts.

Public Library of Science Medicine (2006) online DOI:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030372

A useful link to explain all... http://www.depressionalliance.org/docs/help/treatments.html

Suicide and the elderly

Older people are more likely to be successful when attempting suicide a study review has shown. The review claims that in the 16-25 year old age group, for every 200 attempts there is one suicide. In males over 80 for every two attempts one is successful.

Nursing Times (2007) 103: 14

Anger and Headaches

When compared with a control group migraine sufferers were found to have a higher prevelance of anger management problems. Now there's a surprise!

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (2007) 76: 122-128

The mental health of our children

The children's charity NCH says that there has been a significant increase in emotional disturbance and the prevelance of conduct disorders amongst young people. They claim an increase of 100% since the 1990's.

www.nch.org.uk