Paxil is an anti-depressant. This medication is prescribed to treat depression among the adult population. The common side effect of anti-depressants is increasing thoughts of suicide. This tendency is found to increase in children and younger adults.

It is very important to understand and balance out the risks of taking Paxil with the need of the hour. It should only be taken when the patient will be better after taking the drug and can handle the side effects well. Anti-depressants treat conditions like placebo in patients. If a loved one has been prescribed this medication, it is very important for the primary care-giver to closely monitor any expected side effects. Care-givers should watch out for symptoms such as change in mood, behavior or thoughts very carefully. This is particularly important as some people are expressive about their feeling, while others are more withdrawn.  

When a person seems unusually quiet for his nature or acts in an abnormal way after starting the medication, then one should seek immediately medical help. After thorough evaluation, the doctor may change the medication. Some patients talk about dying or death, though this is not true for all patients who take this drug. Some patients develop this tendency after a while.

It is advisable to never leave the patient who is taking this medication alone at home. Some of the symptoms which need careful and close monitoring are any thoughts of dying, any attempts to commit suicide, progressive depression, feeling angry, panic attacks, insomnia and excessive talking. One can see the patient manifesting very contrasting personalities before the suicide attempt. For example, a reserved person might start talking excessively or a normally talkative person can become reserved. One needs to be aware and alert about such changes and notify the doctor immediately. Careful and close monitoring can prevent the worst from happening when taking care of a patient taking anti-depressants.

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