why and how do antidepressants cause some people to have suicidal thoughts?

Answer 1

One theory I have read, that I agree with, is that the suicidal thoughts were there before, as a normal part of the symptomology of depression...when a medication is started, energy levels get higher and thoughts get clearer, so a person who was so severely depressed before might actually get the mental clarity and energy to carry out a suicide attempt on their way up to a therapeutic level. It's not exactly the drug that causes the suicidal thoughts or behaviors. But the body has to slowly build up a level, and there is for some people a dangerous level between "so depressed I can't move even to kill myself" and "now I feel like I can live a normal life".

Answer 2

Personally, I had a counter reaction for the first week after taking Lexipro. I sat on my couch feeling like I couldn't move or do anything and hated my life, was exhausted but I knew of the side effects so I gave it a two weeks. The suicidal thoughts left after about 5 days and at two weeks I woke up and actually cared about life again. I take it at night. I increased my dosage two weeks ago and had the same adverse reaction but it passed after 3 or 4 days.

Answer 3

SOmetimes when people are very depressed, they do not have the energy to plan or follow through with suicide. As the antidepressant starts to work, their energy increases and they ARE able, then, to plan and carry out a suicide plan.

This is not real common but it happens.

Answer 4

Unfortunately it is a very very common side effect with most antidepressants. I think they should yank em all the shelf! They need desperately to do some deep research each before they try to toss yet another antidepressant on the shelf.
~T~

Answer 5

They really don't know why at this point, but it seems to be a much more common side effects in children and adolescents, than adults. It is not a normal or common side effect for adults to experience.

Answer 6

I don't know.