AntiDepressants and Suicide
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In todays Cape Cod Times, we learn more about the tragic death of David Hill. On October 17, 2006, David was killed after being shot multiple times by a local police officer. That evening, David was carrying and discharging a firearm and wearing a bullet proof vest. The tragedy is being referred to as a "suicide by cop" incident.
All but lost in the story is the fact that David had been prescribed "Ritalin, Zoloft and antidepressants, each with the broken promise of some return to normalcy."
I have represented and continue to represent families that have been broken as the result of suicides occuring while family memebers were being treated with antidepressants. Each has a common theme. The acts of suicide were violent events beyond the comprehension of family members. Hangings, selfinflicted gunshot wounds, or as in the Hill case, intentional self destructive behavior. Many will argue that depression related suicide is unavoidable. However, one must also wonder whether or not the use of antidepressants that are not appropriately monitored by a well trained physician create an "enabling" type of behavior that allows individuals not only to commit suicide, but do with an almost inexplicable act of violence.
A Harvard trained expert that I have worked with on my cases takes the position that antidepressants, WHEN USED PROPERLY, can be helpful in certain cases. However, what of the patients that are now prescribed them like candy, in an unsupervised or poorly monitored treatment plan? Much has been written about the "drugging" of America. The Hill case leaves many questions unanswered that may help us better understand this tragedy. What medications was he on at the time of death; what was the dosage; had the dosage recently been increased; was he in withdrawal from a recent change in medication; was he receiving talk therapy in addition to antidepressants; what was the experience of the physician that prescribed the medications in the admistration of these drugs?
If we carefully examine the Hill case, as well as others that have, or may have connections to the use of antidepressants, i.e the Virginia Tech massacre, we may learn more about the context in which the medications ought to be prescribed and how their use should be monitored. It's not just about money; it's about lives!