Could a child’s suicide have been prevented?
THE PATIENT. A 9-year-old boy was undergoing psychiatric treatment.
CASE FACTS. A psychiatrist prescribed bupropion. The child committed suicide.
THE PARENTS’ CLAIM. The psychiatrist was negligent because he did not diagnose suicidal behavior during the initial visit and prescribed bupropion without proper warnings and follow-up.
THE DOCTOR’S DEFENSE. He did not receive information from the patient’s family that would have indicated suicidal behavior, bupropion was an appropriate treatment and was unrelated to the suicide, the family received proper warnings about the drug, and the suicide was unforeseeable.
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