Let me tell you a story that the pharmaceutical industry would rather you ignore.

Cory Baadsgaard was a regular 16-year-old, just like millions of other teenagers. One day, seemingly out of nowhere, he walked into his high school in Washington State, pulled out a rifle, and held his classmates hostage.

Now, you’re probably thinking, “He must have been a bad seed, right?” Wrong. There’s a lot more to this story—because Cory wasn’t a violent kid. What changed? SSRIs—the antidepressants prescribed by doctors every single day.

And here’s the kicker: this isn’t an isolated case. Cory Baadsgaard’s story is one of many where SSRIs may have turned someone’s world upside down. In fact, Cory’s own testimony to the FDA in February 2004 shines a light on the dark side of these drugs (Read their full testimony here).

The Day Cory Brought a Gun to School

Let’s get into the day everything changed for Cory Baadsgaard. It was April 15, 2001—a day his classmates will never forget.

Cory wasn’t a troublemaker. He was just a regular teenager who happened to be struggling with depression. His doctor, like many others, decided the best way to treat that depression was with SSRIs—specifically Effexor.

Now, you might be thinking SSRIs are meant to help people, right? That’s what they’re sold as. But in Cory’s case, and many others, they did the exact opposite. Instead of treating his depression, the drugs twisted his mind. He became disconnected from reality, and when he walked into that classroom with a rifle, he wasn’t in control of himself. He wasn’t even aware of what he was doing.

What Are SSRIs and Why Are They So Dangerous?

Let’s break down SSRIs. You’ve probably heard the term before—Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. They’re the most common class of antidepressants, and they’re given out like candy by doctors across the globe. Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft, and in Cory’s case, Effexor—they all fall under this umbrella.

SSRIs work by altering the brain’s chemistry. They increase the levels of serotonin, the so-called “feel-good” chemical. But here’s the dirty little secret: they can also cause some terrifying side effects. We’re talking about aggression, mania, suicidal thoughts, and, in some cases, violent outbursts.

Cory wasn’t alone. Thousands of people have reported similar experiences. SSRIs didn’t just make them feel numb—they made them dangerous. And many times, they didn’t even realize what was happening to them.

SSRIs and Violence: Is There a Connection?

So, what’s the deal? Can SSRIs really cause violent behavior? Well, the data is there if you’re willing to look.

Studies have shown that in some people, SSRIs can trigger a whole host of disturbing behaviors—rage, irritability, confusion—you name it. For people like Cory, the drugs didn’t just fail to help, they turned him into a completely different person. And it’s not just him. Look at other high-profile cases of violence and school shootings, and you’ll find SSRIs at the center of more than a few.

Here’s the part that should really make your blood boil: the drug companies know this. They’ve known for years. But they keep pushing these pills, marketing them as safe, even though for some people, they’re a ticking time bomb.

The Legal Fallout and Who’s to Blame

You’ve probably heard about Cory’s defense. His legal team argued that the SSRIs had clouded his judgment, that he was acting under the influence of these powerful drugs. And they were right. The case brought up some tough questions:

• Should drug companies be held responsible for the havoc their products wreak?
• Are doctors doing enough to inform patients and parents of the real risks of these drugs?
• Should we be handing out SSRIs like candy, or should we be a lot more careful about who takes them?

Here’s what Cory and his family testified to the FDA back in 2004 (Read their testimony here). They fought hard to make sure no other family would have to go through what they did. But we’re still left with the same system, where pills are pushed before real, careful consideration of the consequences.

What Can Be Done?

So, what now? What do we do with this information? Here’s a start:

• Better education: Patients need to know the real risks of SSRIs. This isn’t about scaring people, it’s about informed consent.
• Caution before prescribing: Doctors need to think twice before giving out SSRIs, especially to teenagers. There are alternatives—cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), lifestyle changes, and even other, less aggressive medications.
• Holding pharmaceutical companies accountable: These companies have hidden behind their profits for too long. They should be responsible for the damage their drugs cause.

We can’t bring back the lives lost or reverse the damage done to families like the Baadsgaards. But we can fight for a future where people understand the real effects of these drugs and where alternatives are available.

Cory Baadsgaard’s story is just one of many. But his case serves as a stark reminder that SSRIs are not as harmless as they’re made out to be. They’ve changed lives for the worse, and we need to take a hard look at how we’re using these drugs.

And remember, Cory’s own words to the FDA still resonate today (Read their testimony here). This is a fight for awareness, accountability, and a better way forward.