Separate data from the US shows 11 per cent of Americans over 12-years-old use anti-depressants.
The study assessed whether the people in this group met the criteria for a mental disorder, as laid out in the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the U.S. bible for psychiatric conditions.
They found that 38 percent of SSRI users did not meet the criteria for a mental disorder, and 69 per cent did not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder.
The news comes after a study found women who take antidepressants during pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with autism.
The U.S. study supports previous research which has shown that taking SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy increases a woman’s risk of having a child with the developmental disability.
And other American research revealed young adults taking high-dose antidepressants such as Prozac and Seroxat have double the risk of suicidal behaviour.
Researchers pointed to previous studies, which found antidepressant drugs are linked with an increased risk of suicidal behaviour and thoughts in children and adolescents, particularly in the early stages of treatment.
I found this data quite alarming and am wondering wether or not this is of old or new news to others. Regardless,I am passing on this information in hope that awareness around this epidemic is spread.
by Kayla Lebo
14