Parents Warn About Antidepressants After Son Thomas Kingston’s Tragic Death
Thomas Kingston’s parents urge better communication on antidepressant side effects after his death
Thomas Kingston, Cotswolds, UK, Antidepressants, Mental Health
Cotswolds: Thomas Kingston’s parents are speaking out after his tragic death. He was married to Lady Gabriella Kingston, the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Thomas died from a head injury at his parents’ home in February last year. A gun was found near him.
A coroner ruled that Thomas took his own life. He had been experiencing side effects from medication prescribed to him. He was given sertraline for depression and zopiclone for sleep issues. This was after he reported stress at work.
Thomas returned to his doctor, saying the medications weren’t helping. His doctor switched him to citalopram, another antidepressant. In the days before his death, he stopped taking his medication. Toxicology tests showed caffeine and small amounts of zopiclone in his system.
His parents, Martin and Jill Kingston, want changes in how SSRIs are prescribed. Martin believes patients and their loved ones should be informed about potential side effects. He wants them to understand what could happen if they stop taking the medication.
They suggest that patients should sign a document confirming they understand the risks. This could include the possibility of severe outcomes, like suicide. They hope that a close friend or family member could be there during this process.
Martin noted that if someone is stressed and not sleeping, doctors might quickly prescribe antidepressants. This is often done to help, but it may not be the best approach. The NHS states that common side effects of sertraline usually improve over time.
People are advised to seek immediate help if they have thoughts of self-harm. When stopping antidepressants, it’s important to reduce the dose slowly with a doctor’s guidance to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Jill Kingston understands why people take SSRIs. She mentioned that many friends use them. On the day Thomas died, he seemed normal and was enjoying time with family. They spent the day relaxing and laughing together.
After his death, the family received over 400 cards and letters, many sharing stories they never knew about Thomas. The coroner, Katy Skerrett, emphasized the need for better communication about the risks of suicide linked to these medications.
She questioned whether current guidelines are appropriate when patients experience side effects without benefits. Lady Gabriella, Thomas’s wife, expressed doubt that work stress led to his death. She believes it was a sudden impulse, possibly due to an adverse reaction to the medication.