Antidepressants long-term health effects

Long-term health effects from antidepressants include the increased risk of deliberate self-harm (DSH), which may occur more with the SRRIs than the tricyclic antidepressants. The self-harm may occur by overdosing with the prescribed drug, but is more frequently by other means. 

In any case, there is a pressing need for a systematic study of adolescent depression, comparing psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral thereapy (CBT) and antidepressants, or the combination of both treatments. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has organized a multicenter study which will analyze the long-term effectiveness of Prozac versus CBT. Results of the study, called Treatment for Adolescent Depression Study (TADS), will not be published for several years, but it is hoped that the results will help resolve whether antidepressants in teens are beneficial and safe. 

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