Abstract The number of suicides over the past 20 years, in the United States, has exceeded the number of deaths from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The paper shows that, recently, concern has been expressed regarding the connection between the use of antidepressant drugs and suicide. Over the last two years, thanks to pressure from the public, politicians and regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies have released internal data regarding popular antidepressant drugs, used to treat children and adolescents, showing that not only are they not as effective as some had hoped, but they also may be quite dangerous. The paper shows that drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, and a few others have critics worried that their usage may cause suicidal impulses. This dangerous link may compound the possibility of suicide for individuals already at a high risk, due to their depression.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
Antidepressant Use and Effectiveness
Antidepressants and Suicide in Children and Adolescents
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "By March 2004, the FDA announced a request to manufacturers of ten of the leading antidepressant drugs to strengthen their "Warnings" section on their packaging inserts. They asked manufacturers "to encourage close observation for worsening depression or the emergence of suicidal thinking and behavior" ("Questions and answers", 2004), for both adults and children. The FDA furthermore noted the possibility of discontinuing medication for patients whose depression worsened or who developed suicidal impulses."
Abstract The paper discusses antidepressants, a group of psychoactive medications that alleviate the signs and symptoms of mood disorders. The paper examines the prevailing theory of mood disorders and the psychopharmacologic effectiveness of anti-depressants. The paper looks at precautions and side effects in patients taking antidepressants and discusses the assessment of clinical progress.
From the Paper "Antidepressants are a group of psychoactive medications that alleviate the signs and symptoms of mood disorders with a pre-dominantly depressive mood. By this definition, mood disorders such as bipolar disorders are medically managed differently. An understanding of the major mechanisms of action of these drugs can be best understood through understanding the pathogenesis of mood disorders. The prevailing theory of mood disorders, particularly major depressive disorder, lies in the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly the decrease in the monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine, although the former has been the target of most psychopharmacotherapies."
Abstract This research project focuses on providing an explanation of the problems associated with metabolic syndrome as well as the potential link it may have to antidepressant medication. The paper not only attempts to show the seriousness of this problem, but also attempts to come up with ideas that will help to show how this problem can be reduced in size. The paper relates that the best way to accomplish this is to first analyze the problem in question to determine just how serious it actually is, and then use that seriousness as a wake-up call for those that have been looking the other way and avoiding dealing with the issue. There are many of these individuals, and it is time that this is changed.
Outline:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Literature Review
Research Methodology
Conclusion
From the Paper "The issue of metabolic syndrome is one that has been misunderstood for many years, because people did not realize that the problems that were associated with it were tied together as one syndrome. They simply thought that there were individual problems that people experienced, and sometimes they had more than one of these individual problems. Now that this syndrome has become more well-known, however, there are individuals that study it and discuss how significant it is, and there are others that see it as some kind of made-up problem that is really not important enough to focus on. Both of these are valid points of view for people who research the issue but, in recent years, it has generally been accepted that metabolic syndrome does exist, and that the study of it is important. Unlike standard medical problems, such as singular diseases that affect the body, metabolic syndrome is not something that can be 'cured,' as it is understood in the traditional sense."
Abstract This paper examines how the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa is made in people who are involved in recurrent binge-eating episodes and who have a morbid fear of becoming fat and try to get rid of the unwanted calories they voraciously ingest. It also discusses how bulimia has been observed to become more and more prevalent among young women, especially on college campuses, although clinically significant bulimia seems to be rare. The paper then looks at various methods of treatment.
From the Paper "Desipramine is found to be more effective than placebo in reducing binge-eating and purging behavior, independent of depressive symptoms, in dosages ranging from 100 to 350 mg/day administered over 6-32 weeks. However, in 1 study, the majority of responders had relapsed at 6-month follow up. Although desipramine was better tolerated than imipramine, cardiovascular side effects were quite frequent. Desipramine seemed to be most effective at reducing core bulimic symptoms and associated affective symptoms when combined with psychotherapy. (Valbak, 2001) Amitriptyline was also evaluated in the treatment of bulimia nervosa at a dosage of 150 mg/day; the drug was not found to be superior to placebo. These results should be interpreted with caution, however, because the dose was low, the trial duration was only 8 weeks and behavioral therapy was performed concurrently. "
Abstract The paper discusses the mood disorder of clinical depression and its most common manifestations. The paper relates that although clinical depression is most common in adults, it can also manifest itself in children and teenagers. The paper describes the medications used to treat depression that include various types of antidepressants, substances known as atypical antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and finally, forms of psychotherapies.
From the Paper "Medically speaking, the mood disorder known as depression is a mental disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair and discouragement, resulting from and normally proportionate to some type of personal loss or tragedy. This level of depression is quite common, due to humans sharing a wide range of emotional responses to various events and/or situations. For example, some people who experience mild depression may exhibit it by being sad, discouraged or miserable, depending on the situation at hand (Williams, 2003, p. 78)."
Abstract This paper examines how there is a growing trend of depression among adolescents in the United States, a trend that has been ignored. It looks at the different forms that depression takes and how an untreated depression impairs one's ability to fully function and enjoy life. It also discusses how, while many experts recommend individual and family therapy, many families turn to antidepressants, as well as how the stigma of mental illness continues to prevent many teens from seeking treatment altogether. As a result, depressed adolescents suffer in silence from a disease that, in its earliest stages, is highly treatable.
From the Paper "Teens with major depression could show the same symptoms as dysthymia, though these symptoms could be magnified. A major depression also causes an adolescent to experience more of these symptoms at a time. In addition to the ones already mentioned, a depressed teen can also show psychosomatic problems such as headaches or digestive disorders (Polan and Taylor 2004). They could evidence restlessness and may be unable to concentrate on tasks at hand. In addition, depressed teens could have strong feelings of guilt and a sense of worthlessness. These feelings could contribute to thoughts of death and precipitate suicide attempts."
Abstract Left untreated, minor depression during adolescence can lead to serious and debilitating consequences later in life. This paper examines how current research supports the use of cognitive based approaches rather than drug based approaches as the first line of defense for adolescence, especially given reports of bad side effects from antidepressant use among adolescence. The researcher proposes that behavioral based approaches combined with peer support groups may help eliminate depression among adolescents, when participants are adequately screened and evaluated.
Outline
Treatment Proposition Adolescents With Depression
Support for Non-Medication Approach in Adolescents
Conclusions
From the Paper "Studies confirm that adolescent's perceptions of their disorder and care may affect attitudes and treatment outcomes (Slimmer, 2005). Because of this it is important that counselors work with adolescents to discover acceptable labels for their disorder. Helpful labels are more likely to result in positive outcomes than detrimental ones (Slimmer, 2005). Richmond & Rosen (2005) confirm the adverse risks associated with antidepressant use, thus encourage caution when prescribing medication. Anti depression medication use demonstrates "variable efficacy" in studies thus the research does not support its use (Richmond & Rosen, 467). "
Abstract This paper discusses the use and misuse of antidepressants prescribed for children. The paper begins by examining the role of the physician and the family in treating childhood depression. Next the paper asks what ethical concerns must be considered when proscribing anti-depressants to children. The paper also looks at what complications can arise and offers recommendations for future use.
Tags:Antidepressant, Physician, Drugs, Medical, Ethical, ADHD, Medications, Children
Abstract This study examines whether physicians prescribing antidepressants to pediatric patients place them at greater risk for committing suicide later in life. The researcher focuses specifically on the links existing between selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) use and increased patient risk for suicide. The paper also looks at the side effects that are most commonly associated with SSRI use in children.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Purpose of Study
Background/Significance of Study
Hypothesis/Research Questions
Methodology
Research Design
Participants
Instrument
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Study Limitations
Results/Discussion
From the Paper "Despite many widely publicized risks associated with use of certain antidepressant, in many cases pharmacological therapy including administration of antidepressants is often the first line of therapy recommended for children demonstrating various mood, anxiety and other depressive disorders (March, 2004). While much research has focused on the benefits of pharmacological therapy on adults, relatively little attention has been paid the effects of pharmaceutical therapy on children (March, 2004). "
"In fact, whole bodies of research suggest that mood and anxiety disorders in children are best managed using a psychopharmacological perspective, even though this field of medication therapy is still evolving (Bell et al. 2001). Many still believe that medication therapy is the most effective form of therapy particularly when "incorporated into a carefully thought-out management plan based on a clearly established diagnosis" (Bell et al. 2001)."
Abstract This study proposes to study the impact of personality traits on the treatment of depression among the elderly. It analyzes the results through the examination of NEO-Five-Factor-Inventory scores in comparison to improvements of Beck Depression Inventory scores between baseline and outcome measures in three experimental treatment conditions (antidepressants, psychotherapy and combination therapy). The study hypothesizes that combination therapy is significantly more effective than the other treatment conditions in the reduction of depressive symptoms and that personality traits are significantly associated with treatment outcomes.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion
From the Paper "Research has determined that forms of psychosocial intervention, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy, cognitive bibliotherapy, reminiscence group therapy, and problem-solving group therapy, may be effective treatment interventions for geriatric depression. A combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication might be an appropriate treatment for individuals presenting with moderate to severe depression. A study by Thompson, Coon, Gallagher-Thompson, Sommer & Koin (2001) examined the efficacy of a specific antidepressant medication (Desipramine), a specific psychotherapy (CBT), and a combination approach, (CBT and Desipramine), in the treatment of depression among the elderly. The results indicated that, although patients in all three treatment conditions experienced substantial improvement in their depressive symptoms, the patients receiving the combination treatment and those receiving CBT alone showed greater improvements than those patients that only received Desipramine. Therefore, the researchers concluded that CBT is an effective treatment for depression in older adults, and that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT may be of particular usefulness among patients who do not effectively respond to either antidepressants or psychotherapy alone."
Abstract This paper discusses mood disorder among the adolescent population and explains that stressful life events, added to the pressures of school work, social life, and parental interactions, can cause the hormonal changes taking place in an adolescent's body to result in an organic mood disorder. The paper discusses the symptoms of depression and focuses on suicidal tendencies that are a common symptom of teenage depression. The paper also looks at the treatment options available, which include simple lifestyle changes, antidepressant medications and non-pharmacological methods of family counseling and one-on-one counseling.
From the Paper "A report issued by the American Surgeon General (nd) lists major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder and bipolar disorder as the most frequently diagnosed mood disorders among the adolescent population. Mood disorders are strongly correlated with suicidal ideation and behavior in the general population, but among the teen community risk for suicide increases. The Surgeon General (nd) calls suicidal behavior a "matter of serious concern" and notes that "incidence of suicide attempts reaches a peak during the midadolescent years, and mortality from suicide, which increases steadily through the teens, is the third leading cause of death at that age." Therefore, parents, educators, and clinicians need to understand the causes and warning signs that may predict suicidal behavior."
Abstract This paper contends that, based on the study of different kinds of depression and the symptoms of each, prescription medication is not needed to treat these symptoms because there are so many other alternative therapy methods. The paper relates that alternative medicine consists of herbal treatments, cognitive therapy, psychotherapy, support groups, use of dietary supplements, electroconvulsive therapy, exercise, phototherapy, aromatherapy, touch therapy, talk therapy, acupuncture treatments, and enjoying fun or new activities on a daily basis. It then discusses that many of these therapy methods are inexpensive in comparison to prescriptions and that the advantages of alternative medicine far outweigh the advantages of antidepressants for treatment of depression.
From the Paper "The closest thing to prescription medication, without the harmful side-effects, is herbal medicine. One very popular herbal treatment is known as St. John's Wort. This herb contains the same MAO inhibitors that are used in antidepressants, hereby having the same general effects that increase the serotonin levels in the brain (Depression.com Internet). Herbs are a lot less expensive than antidepressants as well. St. John's Wort costs, on average, about one dollar a day. This is opposed to the eight dollars that would be spent on an antidepressant drug. In Germany, where St. John's Wort outsells all other antidepressants combined, a study shows that it is just as effective as an antidepressant for treating mild to moderate depression in 50-80% of the patients involved in the study (Lesie 1A). Another common herb being used is called Gingko, which improves blood flow to the brain. It can be useful for strokes and memory loss that sometimes go hand in hand with depression. "
Tags: psychotherapy, psychotic, aromatherapy, support, groups
Abstract This paper reviews several important issues involving depressive disorder in adolescents. It also analyses several groups of literature related to the treatment of the disorder and discusses concerns about prescribing antidepressant medications to adolescents. In addition, the paper looks at how some individuals could potentially benefit from one treatment but other individuals might not, and how the selection of an ideal treatment for an individual involves considering individual differences such as age, sex and cultural background.
From the Paper "For a long time, many mental health professionals believed that depressive disorder was illness that only adults might develop because children and adolescents were too emotionally immature to be depressed (Mondimore, 2002). However, research has revealed that depressive disorder can be developed at any age. The DSM-IV (APA, 1994) indicates that a person who suffers from a major depressive disorder requires either a depressed mood or a loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities for at least a two-week period. These criteria for a diagnosis of depression in adolescents are mostly the same for adults. The question arises here is whether these symptoms displayed by adolescents are considered for a major depressive disorder. For example, listening to music with nihilistic themes or writing morbid poetry may not be rare among adolescents but it can be a sign of pervasive sadness (Powell, 2000). Also, other depressive symptoms found among adolescents tend to be overlooked and are often regarded as s sign of being lazy, stubborn or simply not trying hard as such behavioural characteristics of depression can also be normal in their age group (Mondimore, 2002). "
Abstract The paper discusses antidepressants and states that clinical evidences show that the pathophysiology behind depression is due to neurotransmitter abnormalities in the brain. The paper reports that antidepressant medications act by correcting these abnormalities. The paper states that tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are the oldest type of antidepressants but these have been replaced by the newer serotonin norepinephrine
reuptake inhibitors. Examples of these are venlafaxine and duloxetine. The paper further discusses the activity, side effects and mode of action of duloxetine which is available under the trade name of Cymbalta.
From the Paper "Duloxetine hydrochloride, or Cymbalta, is a new antidepressant that possesses this dual action. It is known to have three clinical uses: as an antidepressant, as a pain reliever for diabetic peripheral neuropathies, and for alleviating urinary stress incontinence among women (Bandolier, 2007). It has also been approved for pharmacologic management of generalized anxiety disorder (Food and Drug Administration, 2006). Cymbalta has an advantage over venlafaxine. Cymbalta tends to bind tightly to specific serotonin and norepinephrine receptors than venlafaxine. This mechanism allows Cymbalta to have more specific action and less adverse effects. Moreover, it has been established that Cymbalta is effective in alleviating pain among patients who experience pain along with their depression. Studies have shown that duloxetine attenuates chronic and persistent pain within nociceptive transmission pathways."
Abstract This paper is divided into three sections. The first section explores anti-depressant drugs, their characteristics, and how they work on the central nervous system. The second section investigates the acute and chronic effects of antidepressant drugs and whether drugs such as Prozac are necessary to assist such disorders. Finally, the debate as to whether antidepressants are safe and effective in the wide usage for depression is examined.
From the Paper "While the management of depression with non-pharmacological agents (i.e., counseling, psychotherapy, electroconvulsant therapy (ECT) and light therapy) has been an option, the pharmacological agents (antidepressants) such as Prozac have promoted as effective and safe in the treatment of depression (Turkington & Kaplan 1994). The Sumerians in the Tigris-Euphrate valley were aware of the mood elevating effects of opium poppy 5,000 years ago, and they used the juice to give relaxation to people whom presented symptoms similar to being depressed. However, it was not until the 1930's that the clinical structure was described (Stahl, 1996). Iproniazid was developed to treat or ease the symptom of tuberculosis. While the drug was in use to ease the symptoms of tuberculosis, the drugs "happy" effect was noticed."
Tags: despondancy, hopelessness, abnormalities, responsiveness, neurotransmitter, systems
