Suicide Risks in the Use of Antidepressants with Children and Adolescents

Introduction
    Depression is one of the leading acute disorder that can result to substantial problems in behavior, thinking and mood in both adolescent and children with peers, in school, and at home. Use of Antidepressant medications is the most effective method to treat depression and other mental disorders in children and adolescents. However, research indicates that antidepressants pose a possibility of developing fatal side effects and complications. They suggest that antidepressants should always indicate firm warnings about their probable connection to suicidal thoughts in adolescents, young adults and children, (Comer, 2011).

Discussion
    Current research has showed some concern that use of antidepressant medications on children and adolescents may induce suicidal behavior in them. Based on the available evidence of the risks associated with the use of antidepressant on adolescents and children, Food and Dug Administration organization  (2004), in US,  gave a public warning on high risk of  suicidal behavior or thought in adolescents and children treated with SSRI antidepressant medication (Nietzel, 1998).    

    Consequently, the FDA established a "black box" label warning showing that antidepressants may boost the possibility of suicidal behavior in some adolescents and children with MDD. Similarly, the  warning asserts that adolescents and children under SSRI medications require close observation for several depression cases, development of behavior or thought, or abnormal behavior change, such as withdrawal from daily social activities, agitation or sleeplessness, (Comer, 2011). Although, SSRI medications have fewer side effects, the drug may prompt abnormal behavior and agitation in some adolescents and children.

    Based on experience from friends, the Preconceptions are that depression case may not fully cure with the use of antidepressants. Surprisingly, most of them are disturbed by suicide warnings on antidepressant medication, and as a result, they refuse to use the medications on their children because of the perceived effects. According to Comer the truth is that those warning were only labeled as threats to scare people from over using of antidepressants and adopt other options like psychotherapies and other relaxation techniques.

    This controversy enables us to that depression in both adolescents and children are treatable by certain antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors which are considered more effective and beneficial. Also, before getting more disturbed by the suicidal warnings, it is advisable to learn the meaning of the warnings, other treatment options and signs of trouble associated. With this knowledge, it will be much easier to make informed decisions on which option to take about the child's health.

    More recently, outcomes of an intensive pediatric trials review conducted between 1988 and 2006 revealed that antidepressant medications benefits far outweigh their threats to adolescents and children with key anxiety and depression disorders. Also, FDA and mental health research reviews pointed out that no comprehensive suicides transpired among approximately 2,200 children cured with SSRI medications, (Nietzel, 1998). Conversely, roughly 4 percent they experienced suicidal behavior or thinking, such as actual suicide trials- twice the number of those under sugar pills or placebo.  For several adolescents and children, antidepressants are a successful means to cure obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and related mental health conditions. Therefore, antidepressant medications should be used at all times.

    A combination of psychotherapy and medication is considered the most effective alternative treatment for adolescents and children with depression. Additionally, other effective treatments for depression include relaxation techniques, meditation, self-help steps, support groups, exercise, and stress management. While such treatments need more efforts and time initially, their gain over depression medication is that they act as mood boost without any adverse effects. In conclusion therefore, concerning all medical decisions, families and doctors should consider the benefits and threats of treatment for each patient before commencing treatment.

References
Comer, R. J. (2011). Fundamentals of abnormal psychology (6th Ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
Nietzel, M. T. (1998). Abnormal psychology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.