Antidepressants and the Suicide Rate: Is There Really a Connection?

Arbeitspapier

Recent research claims that the major part of the observed reduction in suicide rates during the 1990’s can be explained by the increase in the prescription of antidepressants. This conclusion is however based on research that only looks at raw correlations; confounding effects from other variables are not controlled for. Using a rich data set, we reinvestigate the issue. After controlling for other covariates, observed as well as unobserved, that might affect the suicide rate, we find, overall, no statistically significant effects from antidepressants on the suicide rate; when we do get significant effects, they are positive for young persons. Regarding the latter result, more research is needed before any firm policy conclusion can be made.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Paper ; No. 2005:4

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Single Equation Models; Single Variables: Panel Data Models; Spatio-temporal Models ; Health Behavior
• Subject: Suicide ; antidepressants ; Poisson fixed effects ; Pharmazeutisches Produkt ; Selbstmord ; Schätzung ; Schweden

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Dahlberg, Matz ; Lundin, Douglas
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Uppsala University, Department of Economics
• (where): Uppsala
• (when): 2005

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/82689
• URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-211060
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET