Children and teens who take one of the five most commonly prescribed antidepressants have double the risk for depression and aggressive behavior, according to a new analysis of nearly six dozen studies.

The findings, published in the British Medical Journal BMJ, provide alarming new evidence of links between depression meds — selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors antidepressants (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) — and suicidal thoughts.
 
The team of researchers from Denmark reviewed 68 clinical studies involving 18,526 patients on the use of antidepressants and deaths, suicidal thoughts and attempts, as well as aggression and akathisia — a form of restlessness that may increase suicide and violence. 

In adults, the researchers found no significant associations between antidepressants and suicide and aggression. But the results showed there was a doubling of risk for aggression and suicides in children and adolescents.

"The true risk for serious harms is still unknown [because] the low incidence of these rare events, and the poor design and reporting of the trials, makes it difficult to get accurate effect estimates," the researchers explained. 

But they recommended "minimal use of antidepressants in children, adolescents, and young adults, as the serious harms seem to be greater, and as their effect seems to be below what is clinically relevant," and suggest alternative treatments such as exercise or psychotherapy.

They also call for the need to identify "hidden information in clinical study reports to form a more accurate view of the benefits and harms of drugs."