<p>This comes from talking to a psychiatrist about the issue:</p>

<p>One of the effects of depression is a loss of motivation.  In some suicidal individuals, this has the result that they want to die, but can't work up the motivation to do anything about it.  Once they start taking antidepressants, however, the lack of motivation goes away before the depression does, creating a short period of increased suicide risk.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-30T08:45:11.993Z
*"This comes from talking to a psychiatrist about the issue"* - What comes from talking to a psychiatrist? Suicidal ideation? If that is your claim then that is very bold and requires further elaboration and references. Your claims regarding motivation for suicide and antidepressants also needs references to back them up. Even though the OP accepted this answer, it is nowhere near adequate and as far as I am concerned this answer is opinion rather than fact.
Chris Rogers
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-30T15:07:00.613Z
@ChrisRogers I think he is referring to the source of the information.
Arnon Weinberg
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-05-13T19:53:20.253Z
2020-05-13T19:53:20.253Z
Mark
<p>There are many ways of treating depression, one of which is administering <strong>antidepressants</strong>. From <a href="https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/mood-disorders/depression#v27731291" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this site</a>, and several others, I read that <strong>risk of suicide increases</strong> after starting an antidepressant.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A few people do become more agitated, depressed, and anxious shortly
  after an antidepressant is started or after the dose is increased.
  Some people, especially younger children and adolescents, become
  increasingly suicidal if these symptoms are not detected and rapidly
  treated. This finding was first reported with SSRIs, but the risk
  probably does not differ among classes of antidepressants.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>My question is, simply, <em>why</em> is that? These antidepressants work <em>long-term</em>, but cause strong suicidal thoughts when taken <em>initially</em>. Does it have something to do with hormones?</p>

<depression>
Why does suicide risk increase just after starting an antidepressant?
Bipasha
# Why does suicide risk increase just after starting an antidepressant?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-05-13)

There are many ways of treating depression, one of which is administering **antidepressants**. From [this site](https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/mood-disorders/depression#v27731291), and several others, I read that **risk of suicide increases** after starting an antidepressant.

> A few people do become more agitated, depressed, and anxious shortly
> after an antidepressant is started or after the dose is increased.
> Some people, especially younger children and adolescents, become
> increasingly suicidal if these symptoms are not detected and rapidly
> treated. This finding was first reported with SSRIs, but the risk
> probably does not differ among classes of antidepressants.

My question is, simply, *why* is that? These antidepressants work *long-term*, but cause strong suicidal thoughts when taken *initially*. Does it have something to do with hormones?

**Tags:** depression


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-05-13. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

This comes from talking to a psychiatrist about the issue:

One of the effects of depression is a loss of motivation. In some suicidal individuals, this has the result that they want to die, but can't work up the motivation to do anything about it. Once they start taking antidepressants, however, the lack of motivation goes away before the depression does, creating a short period of increased suicide risk.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: *"This comes from talking to a psychiatrist about the issue"* - What comes from talking to a psychiatrist? Suicidal ideation? If that is your claim then that is very bold and requires further elaboration and references. Your claims regarding motivation for suicide and antidepressants also needs references to back them up. Even though the OP accepted this answer, it is nowhere near adequate and as far as I am concerned this answer is opinion rather than fact.  
> **username_3**: @ChrisRogers I think he is referring to the source of the information.  

---

