As stated on the NHS website, depression affects one in ten people at some point in their lives. Antidepressants are usually prescribed to aid with the symptoms. However, a review has found that antidepressants can allegedly increase the risk of suicide. Pharmaceutical companies have been accused of not reporting the side effects and deaths associated with the drugs.
The review was of 70 trials of the most common antidepressants which involved over 18,000 people. The study found that the drugs doubled the risk of aggressive behaviour and suicide in those aged under 18. No risks were found for adults.
The review was carried out by the Nordic Cochrane Centre, and analysed by University College London (UCL). The findings can be found in a British Medical Journal editorial.
