Why Kill Yourself?

New at Reason: Jacob Sullum on the FDA's new finding linking depressed people to anti-depressants.

Comments

[Pavel]

I would definitely recommend reading this article. Not because it's particularly interesting, but because...you know...reading in general is a good idea.

[shanep]

Wait a minute: the FDA says that anti-depressents may be linked to suicide and depression.

Uhhm........and suicide and depression are not? Why do people take these drugs to begin with?

On a personal note: I've been on 30MG of Paxil for over 4 years.

Watch out! I'm armed with a deadly plastic fork and might stab me some..........salad.

:p

[V]

No, that isn't what the FDA says. Antidepressants may be linked to suicidality in users who suffer from severe depression. As Jacob notes, researchers have no way of knowing whether the observed suicidal tendences are caused by the antidepressants, or if they're simply not being suppressed by them.

[shanep]

Yet the FDA places blame by compelling pharmaceuticals to put larger labels.

[shanep]

"researchers have no way of knowing whether the observed suicidal tendences are caused by the antidepressants, or if they're simply not being suppressed by them."

Maybe they were taking the anti-depressants BECAUSE of suicidal tendencies and depression?

I think the fact they're on the drugs to begin with would suggest suicidal tendencies and depression preceded prescription.

[dj of raleigh]

I blame the trial lawyers.

[TWC]

I'm with Dink, dude. Cabernet is cheaper than Prozac. The downside is it has a hell of a lot more calories.

[dj of raleigh]

"Sullum shows that the question is not why drugs should be legalized, but why they were made illegal to begin with." -- morons.org

Good endorsement from MORONS!!!

"Truth is stranger than fact." -- Hee Haw

[Dink]

It's sad that sad people are sad.
I recommend alcohol, and lots of it.

[Douglas Fletcher]

Let them smoke opium. It's really dreamy...

[Voyager]

Just remember -- you're trusting your health to a Doctor who is getting kick-back's from the drug companies.