A new study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation says the risk of suicide is lower than initially thought in the FDA's 1994 study. The newest study analyzed additional data from seven studies not included in the earlier FDA analysis. The FDA found that 2 in 100 kids experienced suicidal thoughts because of the antidepressants they were taking. The newest study says about 1 in 100 kids had additional suicidal thoughts when compared to similar thoughts they had before taking medication.
The study's co-author, Dr. David Brent, says these medications are safe and effective and should be considered an important part of treatment. "The benefits seem favorable compared to the small risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior."
Dr. John March, chief of child and adolescent psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, says the study is "the most comprehensive analysis of the data..." but warns medicating children for depression and anxiety still requires close monitoring. He also pointed out cognitive behavioral therapy used with antidepressants has additional benefits.
Medicating a child is never an easy decision and it's one I think most parents consider a last resort. Flea at One Good Thing wrote before about their decision to treat her son with ritalin, which is different than treating depression or anxiety in children. But it was an eye opening read for me.
