June 22, 2018

FEATURED ISSUE
Can antidepressants trigger violence?
The recent and tragic mass shootings at schools and other venues have reactivated the debate on a possible relationship between antidepressant medications and violent behavior, even by formerly passive individuals. One viewpoint is that there is strong evidence of a connection in cases of outward, violent behavior, another viewpoint looks at self-directed violent behavior, and a third is that there is no direct relationship. Readers who have a physician’s diagnosis of depression may want to research the side effects of prescription antidepressants. When reviewing research on the medications, be sure to look at details of the study, including the ages of the study’s participants and what side effects (if any) were reported in the study. You may also want to explore information on non-pharmacologicoptions for dealing with depression, such as psychotherapy and behavior changes (diet, exercise, sleep, socializing). As always, be sure to review all treatment options you are considering with your physician.

ISSUE: Will medication be my first option for dealing with depression?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in learning more about this month’s issue, the following related articles were selected to serve as a foundation for learning more about this issue from both pro and con perspectives.

PRO
Do SSRI Antidepressants Cause Violence? (1/30/18)
by Marcia Purse
VeryWell Mind

The Safety, Tolerability and Risks Associated with the Use of Newer Generation Antidepressant Drugs: A Critical Review of the Literature [link no longer available] (8/11/16)
by AF Carvalho, MS Sharma, AR Brunoni, E Vieta, GA Fava
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics

Comparative efficacy and acceptability of 21 antidepressant drugs for the acute treatment of adults with major depressive disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis (2/21/18)
by Andrea Cipriani, MD & others
The Lancet

CON
Expert Warns of Antidepressants Linked to Violence (5/29/18)
Citizens Commission on Human Rights International

Are Antidepressants to Blame for America’s Violence Epidemic?  (5/25/18)
by Gretchen DuBeau
The Daily Caller

Madness, murder and antidepressant drugs (4/24/18)
by Karen Selick
Troy Media

We encourage you to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments. You are invited to share additional resources you have found relating to this issue.