Which psychiatric medication type has been identified as contributing to suicidality?

• A. SNRI
• B. MAOI
• C. SSRI
• D. Antipsychotic

Answer: (C)

The main point to understand is that certain antidepressants carry a signal for suicidality, especially in younger patients and during the early phases of treatment or dose changes. Among the options, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are the ones most consistently identified with this risk. Regulatory warnings, including the FDA’s black box on antidepressants for pediatric use, highlight increased suicidality concerns in youths starting treatment, and SSRIs are the class most often associated with this signal. This doesn’t mean they cause suicidality in everyone, but clinicians monitor closely when starting or adjusting an SSRI. The other classes listed don’t show the same consistent suicidality signal in the literature and warnings, which is why SSRIs are the best choice here.