The parents of a young girl who took her own life believe that her death was linked to acne medication prescribed by a dermatologist.
15-year-old Annabel Wright was found lifeless in her bedroom only 20 minutes after having a conversation with her father, Simon Wright.
Her heartbroken mother, Helen Wright, told the hearing that she had also read about two other teenagers in the US who committed suicide while on acne medication.
According to reports, Annabel started taking the medication at the age of 14 – nine months before she took her own life.
Mrs. Wright said “nothing ever bothered” her daughter and she was performing well at St. David’s School in Yorkshire.
Annabel had suffered from acne since she was 12 and she had been on lymecycline antibiotics for a year.
Her GP then referred her to a dermatologist who told her that said that she wanted the teen on Roaccutane “before she got any scarring.”
“She was only 14 and it panicked her,” Mrs. Wright expressed. She also said that they were given a leaflet that showed a warning that “a number of side effects may occur but there are extremely rare.”
Mrs. Wright continued: “There is nothing in there about suicide. Annabel was not depressed. I was told only children depressed about their skin might take their own lives.”
“When you sit opposite an expert in their field and they say ‘Yes, but it could be argued that these children were depressed about their acne – it sways you,” she continued.
“I was not aware that sudden suicidal impulses could overcome a perfectly normal person.”
Months later, Mrs. Wright noticed scratches on her daughter’s skin. Annabel admitted that she had started self-harming.
“She said she just felt low. She could not explain why,” the mother shared.
Mr. Wright told the court that he gave her a “stern talking to” about the risks of self-harming before giving her “some love and affection.”
The court heard that there were no other signs that anything was wrong.
At Annabel’s final consultation, Annabel was told that the treatment had been successful and her dosage would be reduced.
She was worried the reduced dosage might cause her acne to return but her mother reassured her.
That night, Annabel had a normal dinner with her family before she went up to study for a Spanish test.
“I would have noticed if she was crying or upset,” Mr. Wright said. “It was just nothing.”
When Annabel’s grandmother went upstairs to check on Annabel, she immediately called for the girl’s father.
“I knew something was wrong. I ran upstairs. She was hanging there,” he said “I tried my best to resuscitate her. My son who was 12 at the time helped me.”
When asked if they believe there was a link between their daughter’s death and the acne medication, both parents said there was.
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