SSRI’s – To ban or not to ban…
I‘m not sure whether any of you will have heard of this issue currently being fiercely debated around the issue of SSRI’s. As part of a number of depression based communities on the web, I know that it is certainly stirring up a lot of strong feelings. So, what‘s it all about, and should you care?
The basic argument centres around Paxil (Seroxat), an example of an SSRI, which has a worrying side effect for the first few weeks of taking it. In around 1/10 people (this is the current best guesstimate of the prevalence of the problem) they will experience feelings of suicide, and hopelessness, as well as depression and agitation, either on top of their current symptoms, or in some cases totally out of the blue. (For example, Paxil is prescribed for anxiety, but some patients then start to have suicidal tendancies on taking the drug.) This effect is not restricted to Paxil; I have experienced it with a number of the drugs I have been prescribed.
This is obviously a worrying side effect for anyone who is taking the drug, and there are many groups who are lobbying for specific, or all SSRI’s to be banned because of the problem. And they are making progress. For example, both Paxil and Effexor have now been banned for use in under 18’s.
On the face of it, it can be very easy to agree with the Ban the all train of thought. Here are some drugs, which are given to people who are already very depressed, or anxious, and the drugs can make it much much worse, and may even kill them.
But I think you have to look at the otherside. Consider an analagy:
Almost all cars nowadays are fitted with airbags. They have saved many lives, as well as reducing injury levels in accidents. But in some cases, they fail to deflate correctly, or some other malfunction, and they can kill a driver who would otherwise probably have survived. Should we ban airbags?
In my opinion, banning is not the answer – personally, I believe that both Effexor, and Prozac have saved my life at different points. Yes, the side effects were horrible, and yes, I did feel worse to start with. But I have a very good doctor who warned me, and my family, of the possible effects the drugs would have on me.
A lot more research is needed into these drugs. We have very little understanding of how they work, and why they work differently for different people. We need a lot more publicity about the dangers of taking antidepressants. And we need to look at why there has been a sudden surge in prescriptions for antidepressants, especially in children. But banning them is not the answer.
May 1st, 2006 at 5:31 pm
SSRI’s can and do cause side effects/adverse reactions in a small percentage of people. Reports of harm to self and harm to others do exist . Many children are serving 30 years to life for crimes committed while having adverse reactions to these SSRI’s. I ask you to
Please view and add your name in support for new legisaltion for our first offending children 14 and under. One major ammendment to this bill is that children under the age of 14 can not be tried as an adult for a crime committed while on a prescribed mind altering medication.
It is called Christopher’s Bill (The Juvenile Justice Reform Act ).
Christopher’s Bill was written after the conviction of 12 year old Christopher Pittman of South Carolina.
Christopher Pittman age 12 at the time,killed his grandparents while having an adverse reaction to 200 mgs. a day of Zoloft.Christopher was given Paxil and then Zoloft without the required 2 week washout period needed to cleanse his body. Paxil and Zoloft are SSRI’s and do not interact with each other. And are not approved for children 18 and under.
He was tried and sentenced to 30 years without the possibility of parole.
His case will be heard in the South Carolina Supreme Court soon. I have worked with Christopher and his family for the past 2 years .Christopher is a wonderful child and should have never been tried as an adult.
Christopher’s Bill is a common sense Bill only putting into place protections for young children and for parents as well. Many parents are not aware that when a child is waived up to adult court at any age as young as 10 to date, you will lose all parental rights to your child.Christopher’s Bill puts protections in place for you as the parent to protect your child.
Please sign the attached petition on the bill .This purposed bill has been taken to Washington DC for review as a federal bill and is also being delivered throughout this nation to state legislators to conform to their state laws .
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/429258617?ltl=1114901126
We must begin a change and offer our youngest of first offending children every opportunity for rehabiltation and counseling.
Whatever your opinion on the SSRI issues and their dangerous side effects to children and adults , when you speak of your own children at 12 years old .They are a child, your child.
For more information , please visit: http://www.juvenilejusticefoundation.com
Janet Sisk/ Founder / JJFC
Contact : jsisk@juvenilejusticefoundation.com