Five NIMH Research Projects to Fully Understand the Antidepressant Drugs' Link to Suicidality

Filed in archive Cases , Studies on December 30, 2006

Five new research projects that will hope to fully understand the association of antidepressant medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with suicidality (suicidal thoughts and actions) will be funded by The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (part of the National Institutes of Health).

According to studies, most individuals suffering from moderate and severe depression (even those with suicidal thoughts) can substantially benefit from antidepressant medication treatment. But the use of SSRIs in children and adolescents has been controversial; controversial enough for the USFDA to issue a 'black box" warning on all SSRIs in 2005.

The "black box' is the most serious type of warning in prescription drug labeling and in the case of SSRIs is a notice alerting both doctors and patients of the potential for SSRIs to prompt suicidal thinking in children.

According to NIMH Director Thomas Insel, M.D.:

"These new, multi-year projects will clarify the connection between SSRI use and suicidality. They will help determine why and how SSRIs may trigger suicidal thinking and behavior in some people but not others, and may lead to new tools that will help us screen for those who are most vulnerable."

Read the full report at NIMH.