Can taking antidepressants really increase risk of suicide?

Question

I was prescribed Xanax and Lexapro in July 2006 for severe anxiety and depression. After being on it for a month I completely lost it and threatened to kill myself to my g/f on the phone. I have since been off it for about 4 months and just recently have been an emotional wreck so I decided to get back on SSRI's (Lexapro) for a little while to get me through the next few months. I am scared that the drug might increase suicidal thoughts. Plenty of articles and studies on how SSRI's may increase suicide risk, I believe the feds made them put that on the warning labels now. I believe the rate of suicide with SSRI's was double the rate without them.

Answer 1

It's only shown to be this way in kids, and teenagers most specifically I believe. SSRIs take about 4-6 weeks to build up in your system and take effect, and it is during those weeks that suicidal ideation seems to increase for young people. Psychiatrists are supposed to closely monitor mood and behavior during this time period because of this risk. If it's manageable, it might be worth continuing to take it so that you may get the benefit from it, but if you really are feeling suicidal you need to call 9-1-1 or at least let your psychiatrist know. Hope things go better for you this time around.

Keep in mind though, many psychiatrists have a financial incentive to keep prescribing you this drug. Although it can help people, don't keep seeing this person if s/he doesn't seem to take this threat seriously.

Answer 2

I think what the researchers think is going on is that the SSRI's let you get your energy level back before you actually start to emotionally feel better. so then you are more likely to take action to hurt yourself. I personally had a bad reaction to ssri's, but it turns out i was bipolar, and I think there is some of that going on too. Also, about 10% of people don't metabolize ssri's the same as the rest, so they maybe are getting an overdose, inadvertently, and I suspect that is something too (especially if they are bipolar besides). That's why family members are supposed to keep an eye on you. You should be more careful how fast you increase the drug level, maybe take a smaller dose. I'm hoping you are seeing a psychiatrist and not a family doctor, and that you told the psychiatrist what happened.

Really, it doesn't matter what happens statistically, what matters is how YOU respond to the drug, and your (and your family's) best guess on whether that was a symptom of severe depression or the drug. Every prescription drug has risks, that's why prescriptions are generally for serious conditions.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I do know that that can be true. I did have that happen to me when I was on Prozac, but I only took Lexapro for a very short period of time, so I can't tell you if it has that effect or not. I would put into Google: increased risk of suicide on Lexapro and see what you find, because a lot of that information is available online. I would make sure to write down when and if you feel suicidal so that you can talk to your psychiatrist about it. Hopefully you have one that will make sure that you get on the right prescription. Good luck to you.