[latefordinner]

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SSRI's don't cause homocidal mania. Depression does. And depression also makes SSRI consumption more likely, QED.

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HMK: It is true that there could be another factor responsible for both. It is also true that one could make the argument that SSRIs have done much more good, than bad and prevented many violent suicides and probably homicides. It is also true that the aggression/rage dysphoric mania that SSRIs can push some people into is well-documented, if rare. As with any strong substance that alters neurochemistry, there are always benefits and drawbacks. It is not the state's responsiblity to decide when people should be "allowed" to take SSRIs or not. It is, however, the responsbility of all those taking SSRIs and their friends, family, and mental health providers to be aware that SSRIs, in some people, especially those with a propensity towards bi-polar issues and anxiety or anger issues, can have strong adverse effects up to and including psychotic rage - especially in the first month of use, in multiple-SSRI combinations, or in dosage rampups.

we are still too far in the infancy of neuroscience and psychiatric pharmaceutical research to be able to predict which SSRIs and which people this will be likely in, and this is in no way a call for the banning of a class of pharmaceutical compounds that has done good and probably prevented a ton of violence, suicide especially.

(I agree that a full discussion of this would probably be better in SMP)