MISSD is pleased that our educational resources will reach professionals attending this week’s Learning Disabilities of America annual conference. Children prescribed meds with known risks of suicidality and adverse psychiatric effects deserve informed care prior to prescribing.
Fact: A 2020 study found that 6.5% of U.S. children (ages 3–17) take psychiatric meds, and many more are given meds that can cause suidicality. Awareness is critical to reduce harm and save lives.
Twelve years ago today, Natalie died a Zoloft-induced death. Like many, if not most, akathisia deaths, the symptoms were missed, misdiagnosed & mistreated. Take our free, accredited course to learn about akathisia symptoms, causes, risks, and management at MISSD.LearnUpon.com. When Natalie was suffering from akathisia, her prescriber increased Zoloft, the drug causing akathisia. This mistake is unfortunately not rare and can be deadly.
MISSD has long recommended a medication buddy system so that anyone starting, stopping, or changing dose or type of medications associated with akathisia can be closely monitored for any unusual changes in thoughts and/or behavior. The parents of Thomas Kingston, who died of medication-induced suicide, are recommending a similar medication buddy system. We hope this precaution is promoted and becomes standard procedure. Read the full article at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y76kd8x6no.
