“Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 19. Each year, approximately 20% of all high school students consider committing suicide; almost 10% try” (Cropper 112). This shocking statistic shows the high risk of suicide among teens, but what some may not know is that the most common form of treatment used to help teens suffering from depression is one that may also increase the risk of suicide and/ or actions harmful to oneself. . Tricyclic antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa and Lexapro are commonly prescribed to adolescents and young adults to relieve symptoms of depression and work by releasing more of the brain's "happy chemical", serotonin, in those with clinical depression, or blocking the release of emotional brain chemicals in individuals suffering from manic depression (or other illnesses such as bipolar disorder) (Silverstein 61). Although antidepressants can have a positive effect on the symptoms of depression, the risk of suicide among those who take them is too high to be used as a first option. Suicidal behavior is a serious side effect in adolescents prescribed tricyclic antidepressants; depression should be treated with safer alternatives, such as behavioral treatment or other forms of therapy instead of a “trial and error” approach. FDA research has shown that tricyclic antidepressants like Paxil can actually increase the severity of depression and suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults. In the shocking article “Treating the Mentally Ill,” medical journalist Rob Waters warns: “Antidepressants including Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and Effexor have triggered hostile behavior and suicidal thoughts in a number of teenagers who were prescribed the drugs . Some of the... middle of paper......expression; the use of antidepressants will put their lives at risk. Works Cited “Need for antidepressants outweighs risk of childhood suicide, researchers say.” Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada] April 18, 2007: A17Cropper, Carol Marie. “A Cloud Over Antidepressants” Businessweek 3880 (2004): 112-113 Business Source Premier. Network. January 28, 2014 Hysinger Eb, Catlahan St, Caples Tl, et al.: “Suicidal behavior differs between early and late adolescents treated with antidepressant agents.” Pediatrics 2011; 128(3): 447-454. E-mail: william.cooper@vanderbilt.eduSilverstein, Erma. Adolescent depression. New York: F. Watts, 1990. Print.Waters, Rob. “Antidepressants can cause suicide and violent behavior in children and adolescents.” Treating the mentally ill. Ed. Kyla Stinnett, San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Web. January 28, 2014 Wolff, Lisa. Adolescent depression. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1999. Print.