Submitted by Derrick Broze via TheAntiMedia.org,
A new study published in the PLoS Medicine journal has found that younger people taking antidepressants are more likely to commit violent crimes.
Reuters reports that the researchers “used a unique study design which aimed to avoid confounding factors by comparing the same individuals’ behavior while they were on and while they were off medication.” The study was led by Seena Fazel of Britain’s Oxford University.
Fazel’s team used matched data from Sweden’s prescribed drug register and its national crime register over a three-year period. Among 850,000 people prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), one percent were convicted of a violent crime. SSRIs are often prescribed to fight off anxiety and depression and include drugs like Prozac and Paxil.
Most of the age groups did not show an increase in crime and violence, however, the 15-24 year-old group showed a 43 percent increase in their risk of committing violent crime while on SSRIs. The researchers also observed an increased risk for younger people to be involved in violent arrests, non-violent convictions and arrests, non-fatal injuries, and alcohol problems when they were taking antidepressants. The results also showed those who took lower doses had an increased risk of being violent.
Ironically, the researchers recommend that young people might take higher doses of the drugs to reduce the risk of violence and criminal activity. Fazel told Reuters it is possible that younger people taking lower doses are not being “fully treated,” leaving them vulnerable to impulsive behavior.
Fazel cautioned that the study does not conclusively prove SSRIs will lead to increases in violent activity and said further studies should be conducted. He went on to tell Reuters that if the results are confirmed, “warnings about the increased risk of violent behavior among young people taking SSRIs might be needed.”
Anti-Media previously reported on a study by the Harvard School of Public Health that found high doses of antidepressants in teens and young adults correlate to marked increases in self-harm.
That study examined 162,625 subjects between the ages of 10 and 64 for 12 years. For subjects aged 24 and younger, higher-than-average doses of antidepressants doubled the rate of suicidal behavior. In addition, a 2004 review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also found that antidepressants double the risk of suicides between the age of 18 and 25.
Recently, journalist Ben Swann released a Reality Check report examining the possible connection between gun violence and SSRIs.
“The crime scene tape was still up in Roanoke, Virginia when politicians began calling—almost predictably—for tougher gun control laws,” Swann wrote. “Here’s a question: why is it always a discussion about guns and not about mental health and mood altering prescription drugs?”
Swann goes on to list several examples of shootings committed by individuals under the influence of SSRIs.
“1999: 15-year old Oregon school shooter Kip Kinkel, who opened fire in his school cafeteria, had been on Prozac.
1999: Eric Harris, the Columbine killer, was taking Luvox.
1999: Conyers, Georgia school shooter T.J. Solomon was on Ritalin.
2005: Red Lake Indian Reservation shooter Jeff Weise was taking Prozac.
2007: Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Hui, who shot and killed 32 people, was on antidepressants and taking Prozac.
2012: Colorado theater shooter James Holmes… was reportedly heavily hooked on the prescription painkiller Vicodin. And he took a cocktail of anti-depressants before his shooting spree.
2012: Conn. school shooter Adam Lanza’s uncle said the boy was prescribed Fanapt, a controversial anti-psychotic medicine.”
It would appear that a certain amount of skepticism is necessary when listening to the claims made by members of the pharmaceutical-industrial complex. Studies show antidepressants are overprescribed, and in my own experience with depression and anxiety, I found that doctors are far too often willing to offer pills than have a conversation and work to solve the root causes of these issues.
We need to help promote a culture where individuals are able to safely talk about their depression, anxiety, and even thoughts of suicide. As humans, we have the ability to create a culture that values open and honest communication, respect, and love. This could allow each individual to have a safe space to process their pain and receive the healing necessary for personal growth and collective liberation. Empower each other and break your addiction to Big Pharma.
This has been known for years.
And the MSM has refused to mention it for years.
As they will continue to do.
Yea, but the article says you just have give them more and it will be better.
With the war on drugs filling all available space with pot smokers, no room for the insane, so we treat them with “legal” drugs and turn them loose on society.
Go figure.
“Among 850,000 people prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), one percent were convicted of a violent crime. SSRIs are often prescribed to fight off anxiety and depression and include drugs like Prozac and Paxil.
Most of the age groups did not show an increase in crime and violence, however, the 15-24 year-old group showed a 43 percent increase in their risk of committing violent crime while on SSRIs.”
—-from the article
Paxil has just been taken off the list as “approved for use for 15-24 year olds.”
TBP is among the leading edge blogs which point out the dangers of prescribing psychotropic drugs to people under the age of 25. Believe it, people. It’s all true.
The evidence is there. It’s rock solid and all the more reason to support this site.
Really shouldn’t take an actual study, just some common damned sense and base understanding of mental issues and pharmacological realities.
1. Depression is anger turned INWARD.
2. Violence and aggression is anger turned OUT.
3. If a chemical can, and DOES, cause increased suicidal thoughts in the depressed, it would only follow that for those that their anger turns OUT, instead/in addition of IN, would find their violent thoughts increased also.
Couple these meds with the “healthy” low-fat, high carb, lots of processed food diet, the water supply chock full of other mood/health altering chemicals, plus the fact that those on these meds have to be more likely to receive the full spectrum of ALL meds and vaccinations – they are in the doc’s offices all the time – and just exactly what would the CEOs of these corporations THINK would happen?
Most people don’t truly, actually, want to be healthy. What they want is attention, and the ability to NOT think too much, nor take responsibility, nor do anything more physically exerting than picking up your script. Same damn reason most people don’t read once done with school.
And is it REALLY a big mystery why the MSM hasn’t covered this?
A full 30% of their revenues come from pharms and others in the health industry, they would be killing their golden goose to expose them all as the death peddlers they are.
Instead they encourage MORE of it, demand MORE of it, and are even leading the charge to incarcerate or marginalize those that can see the truth.
Keep on believing the people indoctrinated by the guys making billions, I’m sure they would never intentionally hurt us. All those lawsuits and injuries must be coincidental.
Better living through chemistry. One of the 20th Century’s greatest, most deadly, lies.