Why don't you hear about how many school shooters were on Rx drugs? namely ritilin and antidepressants?
823550
Because parents don't want to hear that news.  If they take their kids off Ritalin and/or antidepressants, they would actually need to PARENT their children rather than pump some pills into them.
1087345
i myself am on 3 antidepressents and other forms of meds 1 pain pill 2 sleeping pills counting myself i know 6 other people on anti depressents my sister died due to 1 called zyprexa i know were over medicated but i need them to function in everyday life i might be dead w/o them
299515
Because the Medication may very well have a Depressant Effect Similar to Alcohol. Also, if the Medication in Question was Consumed Prior to Operation of Heavy Machinery, and an Accident were to Occur, with No Warning Stated on the Label, a Lawsuit against the Meds.Maker may Very Well Happen . The Lawyers are Out There!
833893
There is no way of knowing how many people are on prescription drugs.  That's like asking how many people drink water.  Doctors don't report to any agency about prescribing drugs.  Pharmacy's don't report the sale of drugs.  Your question can't be answered.
412325
My best friend and boyfriend's antidepressants had one of those rare side effects on him and he ended up killing himself by sticking a knife to his throat.\n\nI found him on his kitchen floor in a pool of blood and that is pretty much the worst thing that I can think of to happen to anybody. \n\nI would never wish the sight on my worst enemy... and the only reason I can even talk about it now is because I want people to be aware that anti-depressants need to be taken responsibly! Check warning labels, read the side effects, make sure you look out for signs.
32246
Whilst the exact mechanisms are unknown it is generally thought that drugs such as Prozac (known as SSRIs or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) work by blocking the action of a protein in the brain that normally transports serotonin out of the synapses, the spaces between brain cells. With the transporter protein blocked, serotonin lingers in the synapses, and that can have a positive effect on mood.\n\nIt should be noted, however, that Wellbutrin, despite being in the class of SSRIs, is pharmacologically different and works in a slightly different way. Again, however, the exact mechanisms are unknown.\n\nThe underlying principle behind its workability is actually no different than any other drug used to alter mood, be it prescription or recreational. It alters the natural chemical operation of the brain to induce a false state that suppresses the underlying trauma or psychological condition. It does not cure anything. In fact, recent studies show that not only are such drugs harmful, they can induce amplified feelings of violence, rage and even suicidal thoughts. \n\nAs to their actual workability (efficacy), a wealth of studies undertaken show that they really aren't as effective as people are led to believe. Psychologist Irving Kirsch and his co-authors analyzed all of the data submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for approval of the six most widely prescribed antidepressants between 1987 and 1999. They found that approximately 80% of the response to the medications was duplicated in placebo control groups. They believe the difference between the patient's response to medication and response to placebo was small enough to be considered clinically meaningless.\n\n--\nDecoding Psychiatric Propaganda\nhttp://groups.msn.com/psychbusters
568188
In my state of Kentucky I have been hearing alot about these drugs they are giving our kids these day-and they say it can cause alot of damage to your body-there was a story in our new every night this week-I high le dont think kids should be on it
931767
I have taken antidepressants off and on for 22 years.  I have taken tricyclics, SSRIs and what they refer to as atypicals (like Effexor).  I know hundreds of people who take them through my work and they are fine.  The antidepressants allow them to function more comfortably while hopefully they work on other ways of dealing with life and the causes of the depression or other disorder.\n\nBut...as to what we know long term...I asked my doctor the same thing and he said, and I agree, we do not know.  The trycyclics have been around a while, but they are not given much anymore.  The SSRI's have not been around a "life span" so in essense we are still finding out about them.  \n\nWe do know that for some people, they reach a point where they stop working and they much either up the dose, change to a different medicine or add a medicine to what they are taking now.\n\nSome people are NOT able to take them, that we do know. And, we do know that the reaction to them is very individualized...one person may do great, the next person may not get any relief at all. Going off them should be done with your doctor and any of them should be tapered off very, very slowly to prevent relapse.\n\nIn time I think there will be better medicines for us and we will also know more about those we take now.  Medicine is advancing almost as fast as technology.  But, really, I am glad you are doing okay now.
496876
Seems it was causing people to develop diabetes.\n\nOn June 7, 2005, Eli Lilly and Christopher Seeger on behalf of the Plaintiff's Steering Committee in the federal Zyprexa MDL, announced a $700 million settlement of approximately 8,000 cases against El Lilly for allegations that the atypical anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa caused them to develop diabetes and diabetes-related injuries.  The cases are pending in  federal district court in Brooklyn before the Honorable Jack B. Weinstein.\n\nDiabetes is a very serious condition with several serious complications.  The lawsuits alleged that Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of the drug, failed to adequately warn patients and their doctors about the drug's known association with diabetes and other injuries.
275414
The biggest revolution in all of medicines in the 1980's was Prozac.  It was the first safe anti-depressant and spawned a HUGE market for psychoactive drugs.
590383
I work with people with various types and levels of mental illnesses and I think medication help reasonably normalize their living conditions, however, considering the long history of mental illness amongst us, and the advancement of our medical technology, I think we should have come up with a one stop gap medication that could help the condition without having to take over 15 different medications.
75555
I am currently taking Zoloft and have been on it about a year now.  I have found it to be helpful with my depression.  Some others have mentioned difficulties with the drug, and I wanted to note that the reason there are so many anti-depressant/anti-anxiety drugs available is that people react in many different ways to different chemical combinations.  Trying different drugs is an unfortunate, but necessary, part of relieving some of these symptoms.  Another note: Many anti-depressants have been known to result in suicidal/homicidal ideation and actions in teenagers.  Teenagers seem to have a different brain chemistry than adults and react very differently to these meds.  Final note: The reason I chose Zoloft (and I chose it -- my psychiatrist is an idiot) is because it is one of the safest medications to use while nursing.  Good luck with Zoloft -- hopefully you will settle in at home and life will get better!
365845
Outside of those points...there are other students wanting to copy Columbine. Why must we focus on the bad news after it happens, instead of trying to figure out what causes it to begin with? \n\nI pray that the survivors, family members and community have grown stronger in themselves and together in spirit. I would never want to be in that situation for I know I am not strong enough myself to handle it. I saw people after it happened and how well they held their heads high. I would never be able to do that. Kudos and angels to them.
293222
Sadly the often don't.\nEven with support from the principal, their hands are tied and often the parents are against them.\nLots have breakdowns and many are on anti depressants :(
94946
I am.  I was finally diagnosed last month after being tested for 14 months.  I am now on Retilin, increasing my dosage each week until I am no longer falling asleep.  Have you seen someone for depression since these two go hand in hand?
530362
Risperdal is a popular treatment for bipolar disorders, autism, and senile dementia, although these are what medical professionals call “off-label” prescriptions. Although these conditions were not tested during the final phases of Risperdal studies, they respond well to the drug despite the lack of information of any potential dangers to prospective patients.\n\nOff-label prescriptions can have deadly consequences. Risperdal is alleged to have caused 37 instances of strokes or stroke-like events in elderly patients undergoing treatment for senior dementia. Unfortunately, 16 people allegedly died as a result of this practice of using Risperdal for off-label uses.\n\nThere are a variety of dangers associated with the use of Risperdal, but perhaps the most significant is that the medication can mask the indicators that doctors use to diagnose and treat very serious conditions, greatly increasing the chances that a dangerous disorder can develop unnoticed.\n\nEvents such as drug overdoses, intestinal blockages, a neurological condition known as Reye’s syndrome and a variety of other major medical maladies cannot be readily observed and identified due to the ability of the drug to mask signs and symptoms of these conditions.\n\nTo understand why Risperdal can mask certain symptoms of illness or medical conditions, it’s important to first understand how the drug works. Essentially, Risperdal works by limiting the communication of nerves in the brain, such as the neurotransmitter called dopamine. \nThe loss of dopamine negatively affects the nerves and muscles controlling movement and coordination, and can also impair efficient information processing in the brain, facilitating problems with memory and concentration. \n\nAs a result, patients are less likely to be able to recognize symptoms that may be the harbinger of a serious medical condition or incident. The following is a list of common side effects of Risperdal:\n\n• Low blood pressure \n• Rapid heartbeat\n• Sedation\n• Drowsiness\n\nThere are a variety of health risks associated with the use of Risperdal. Like many other drugs, Risperdal users must be made aware of drug interactions, harmful side effects, and other factors that can endanger their well-being and jeopardize their health.\n\nPatients who suffer from allergies, are planning to be or become pregnant, are breast-feeding, are children, are older adults, take other prescription medication, or suffer from other medical problems should discuss their condition with their doctor before taking Risperdal.\n\nThere are some medicines that shouldn’t be taken in combination with the drug Risperdal. However, others may be carefully combined with Risperdal with altered doses. Drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, antiypertesives, or tricyclic antidepressants should be closely monitored when used in conjunction with Risperdal.\n\nThe use of alcohol with Risperdal is particularly dangerous, and the use of Risperdal among individuals with a history of drug problems is discouraged. It is essential that physicians inform their patients of the risks of Risperdal drug interactions so that potentially fatal mistakes are not made with dosage or drug combinations.\n\nCommon short-term side effects of Risperdal include, but are not solely relegated to, the following: \n• Nausea\n• Anxiety\n• Dizziness\n• Insomnia\n• Low blood pressure\n• Muscle stiffness and pain\n• Fatigue\n• Weight gain (It is not uncommon for patients taking Risperdal for long periods to gain as much as 50 pounds)\n\nOccasional side effects include sexual dysfunction and lactation (in both genders), as Risperdal can impact the production of hormones such as estrogen and prolactin. \n\nLike any other drug, Risperdal causes some severe side effects. Aside from nausea, insomnia, and low blood pressure, atypical antipsychotic drugs like Risperdal are known to cause motor skill and coordination disorders and a rare and poten
984893
What an area you live in.  I live here, too and this area is heavily monitored by the VA state police, DEA and FBI for these doctors who over prescribe.  They watch EVERY prescription for narcotics.  Every single one.  Who gets it, how many, from how many doctors and how many patients the doctor are writing them for.