Understanding the potential risks of treatments for children's mental health.

A study was carried out examining the possible association between SSRIs and violent crime using a large population-based cohort that included 856,493 individuals prescribed SSRIs.

There were three main findings. First, using a within-individual design, there was an association between SSRI prescriptions and violent crime convictions.

With age stratification, there was an increased hazard of violent crime convictions in individuals aged 15 to 24 years and no significant association in older individuals. 

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My Experience of Lexapro 

By Elizabeth Cabrera

In Support of Carly Madison Gregg

My name is Elizabeth Cabrera. I am Cuban and have lived in Florida, United States, for 28 years.

I want to share my personal testimony about the negative effects that the medication Escitalopram (Lexapro) had on me.

My doctor prescribed it to treat depression and panic attacks, at a low dose of 10 mg.

My panic attacks disappeared, but something much worse began: the medication had a very negative effect on my emotions and my mind.

I felt empty, without feelings, without empathy. The love I felt for my family seemed to fade away, and that filled me with guilt and sadness.

I was afraid to stop taking it because I feared my panic attacks would return. 😢

While searching for information in Facebook support groups, I found many people describing the same thing — that Lexapro made them feel emotionally numb.

Over time, I decided on my own to gradually stop taking the medication, and it took me many months to once again feel real emotions and reconnect with my heart.

Years later, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy, my doctors recommended that I take Lexapro again,  but my answer was no.

I prefer to manage my nerves with faith and other treatments, but never again with Lexapro.

When I learned about Carly Madison Gregg’s story, I felt a deep pain in my heart.

I read that during the trial it was mentioned that Carly was taking the lowest possible dose of Lexapro — 5 mg, and that she weighs around 120 pounds.

In my case, I was taking 10 mg, and I am a person who is overweight, and yet the medication still caused a devastating effect on my mind and emotions.

That’s why I can imagine how much it could have affected a 14-year-old girl, with a developing brain and an emotionally pressured life.

It’s true that thousands of people take Lexapro and find it helpful, but every person reacts differently.

In Carly’s case, her medical history, her age, her family and emotional circumstances should have been carefully considered — and sadly, they were not.

Carly is a victim, and the justice system failed her.

She needs love, understanding, and healing, not to be kept behind bars.

I hope that others who have taken Lexapro and have felt their emotions fade away will raise their voices for Carly.

She deserves compassion, mercy, and a second chance at life. 💜

With love and hope,

Elizabeth Cabrera

Florida, United States