Suicide Effexor 09/10/2010 Washington Woman Kills Self: Husband Fights to Change HIPAA Statute
Suicide Effexor 2010-10-09 Washington Woman Kills Self: Husband Fights to Change HIPAA Statute

http://www.ssristories.com/show.php?item=4560

Summary:

Paragraphs five through seven read:  "He says Lyn's psychiatrist changed her antidepressant from Effexor to Effexor XR. The dosage was also increased."

"Soon after, Lyn took her own life in their home."

"Warren says spouses or parents should be made aware when there's a medication change, especially when suicide is a risk."



http://www.wtop.com/?nid=596&sid=2074273


Suicide awareness advocate fighting for change to HIPAA

October 9, 2010 - 8:44am

WASHINGTON - His wife lost her battle with depression two years ago. Now a D.C. resident is fighting to make safety a priority over confidentiality.

Warren says he knew his 65-year-old wife, Lyn was diagnosed with seasonal depression in 2008, but otherwise was kept in the dark.

"I, as her husband, never knew anything about the details of her illness or her medication because of the HIPAA statute," he says.

The HIPAA privacy rule is a confidentiality statute between a doctor and patient.

He says Lyn's psychiatrist changed her antidepressant from Effexor to Effexor XR. The dosage was also increased.

Soon after, Lyn took her own life in their home.

Warren says spouses or parents should be made aware when there's a medication change, especially when suicide is a risk.

In October 2004, the FDA required a black box warning for all antidepressant medication that begins with the following language: "Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders."

"You need to have loved ones aware you're taking this stuff so they can recognize the danger signs if you have a reaction," Warren says.

He believes having more information about his wife's treatment could have made the difference between life and death.

"My feeling is that if I had known, had been counseled my wife might still be here."

Warren held a walk and tribute on Saturday in memory of his wife.

He hopes it will raise awareness. He also hopes to see HIPAA amended, to better involve families.

(Copyright 2010 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Darci Marchese, wtop.com

WASHINGTON - His wife lost her battle with depression two years ago. Now a D.C. resident is fighting to make safety a priority over confidentiality.

Warren says he knew his 65-year-old wife, Lyn was diagnosed with seasonal depression in 2008, but otherwise was kept in the dark.

"I, as her husband, never knew anything about the details of her illness or her medication because of the HIPAA statute," he says.

The HIPAA privacy rule is a confidentiality statute between a doctor and patient.

He says Lyn's psychiatrist changed her antidepressant from Effexor to Effexor XR. The dosage was also increased.

Soon after, Lyn took her own life in their home.

Warren says spouses or parents should be made aware when there's a medication change, especially when suicide is a risk.

In October 2004, the FDA required a black box warning for all antidepressant medication that begins with the following language: "Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adolescents with major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders."

"You need to have loved ones aware you're taking this stuff so they can recognize the danger signs if you have a reaction," Warren says.

He believes having more information about his wife's treatment could have made the difference between life and death.

"My feeling is that if I had known, had been counseled my wife might still be here."

Warren held a walk and tribute on Saturday in memory of his wife.

He hopes it will raise awareness. He also hopes to see HIPAA amended, to better involve families.

(Copyright 2010 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.