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Just know that no drug is going to force you to die of suicide.

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That is a reassuring statement although not one that can be held up to verification.

Currently many medical associations around the globe are taking a second look at the SSRI class of antidepressants due to the overwhelming reports of impulsive behaviour which often is acted out in a suicidal fashion.

In an aggitated depressed state not many people are in conrol of their mental faculties. A decade ago when I was in that state I was prescribed different SSRI's over many months as each burnt out or didn't provide a favourable response.

I am glad that you share so much of what you are learning in college however pharmaceuticals cannot be covered adequately in a college psych program. I'm sure that you believe what you are being taught but the emerging stats are beginning to argue your point that no drug can cause suicide.

I think anyone taking any medication has a responsibility to seek balanced information regarding that medication. Read the PDR or the package insert THROUGHLY. Check rxlist for possible side effects. Search mental health boards for feedback. But ultimately it is up to the patient/consumer to advocate for themselves in this messy medical world we navigate.

Is is hard when we're so mentally ill and unable to process such information. That is when we take things on the faith of others. If I had stuck to the faith of my original (first) pdoc in taking the amount of an SSRI he prescribed when I was in an aggitated depression I would have been successful in my suicide attempt instead of just miserable from overdosing and alcohol. I sensed that what was going on with me wasn't me but instead the effects of the med starting up in my system. It seemed natural to take every last bit of medication and alcohol at that time. Thank goodness I survived and quickly got myself up to speed on just what the hell I was putting into my system.

I now know my reaction to a SSRI was NOT UNUSUAL NOR AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

That doesn't mean that everyone will have the same reaction. It does mean the potential for someone to have a negative reaction exists.

You're fortunate that you do not have to take antidepressants. You might have a different tune to sing if you had run through over twenty of them in a decade with various terrifying reactions. Along with various benign reactions too.

To sum up........meds are a crap shoot. One needs to be as informed as possible about what they are taking and who is prescribing it. It doesn't hurt to establish a relationship with your pharmacist as well. They often know more about these medications than the pdocs. Seek out reliable sources.