Teenagers Are More Likely To Commit Suicide Than Adults

Teenagers are more likely to commit suicide than adults . â€Å"Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 19-year-olds. In any given year, about 20% of all high school students think of committing suicide; almost 10% try† (Cropper 112). This shocking statistic shows the high risk of suicide among teens, but what some might not know is that the most common form of treatment used to help teens suffering with depression is one that might also increase the risk of suicide and/or harmful actions to oneself. Tricyclic antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro are commonly prescribed to adolescents and young adults to relieve symptoms of depression, and they work by either releasing more of the brain’s â€Å"happy chemical,†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦Since the side effects of these antidepressants have become more evident, the FDA among many other medical associations have released several statements cautioning people of the risks assoc iated with these medications; some professionals have even warned not to use the pills at all. The risk of suicidal behavior in teens that are prescribed tricyclic antidepressants is high and is not a fact to be overlooked. Due to the harmful side effects of antidepressants, other forms of coping and dealing with depression should be implicated. Using tricyclic antidepressants as a last resort is an option that should be considered only after trying other forms of therapies such as cognitive and behavioral treatment, group therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Cognitive and behavioral therapies focus on trying to change the behavior of the patient instead of focusing on the past and root issue of the problem. â€Å"The main idea of behavioral therapy is that people who are rewarded for the wrong things and punished for positive acts end up behaving in ways that don’t serve them well† (Wolff 61). Another equally effective aid for depression is the most commonly known type of therapy, psychodynamic therapy; psychodynamic therapy works by setting an example of a healthyShow MoreRelatedBreaking News : Teen Commits Suicide1222 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"BREAKING NEWS: TEEN COMMITS SUICIDE† is not an unusual headline to read. 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