Should Children Take Antidepressants

Should Children Take Antidepressants Depression Treatment Medication Print Should Children Take Antidepressants? By Leonard Holmes Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Aron Janssen, MD on November 27, 2019 linkedin Aron Janssen, MD is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and is the vice chair of child and adolescent psychiatry Northwestern University.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Aron Janssen, MD on November 27, 2019 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Kaori Ando/Getty Images While antidepressants have been shown to be effective in treating major depression and anxiety in children and teens, they need to be used cautiously and monitored closely to make sure there are no serious side effects. What to Do If Your Child Is Anxious or Depressed Before your child starts on an antidepressant, its best to have a complete physical examination to rule out any physical causes of depression or anxiety. If the physical exam turns out fine, the next step is to have a psychiatric evaluation done by a pediatrician, family doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist, preferably one who specializes in pediatric mental health. This evaluation will include important information such as family history, behaviors you notice in your child and any risk factors there might be for him to hurt himself. Understanding all of these issues will help you and your mental health professional decide on the best course of action for your child, which may or may not include antidepressants. Getting Your Child Started on Antidepressants If you and your physician decide that an antidepressant is necessary, your child will start on the lowest possible dose, to begin with. This may have to be adjusted if its not helping your childs symptoms. The risk for suicidal thoughts and/or behavior is greatest during the first couple months of starting an antidepressant,?? as well as if the dose is increased or decreased, so be particularly observant of your childs behavior during these times. Your mental health professional will likely want to monitor your child fairly closely at first as well.   Antidepressants Approved for Children There are two antidepressants that the FDA has approved for use in children or teens to treat depression: Prozac (fluoxetine) for kids 8 and older and Lexapro (escitalopram) for kids 12 and older.?? Additionally, Zoloft (sertraline), Luvox (fluvoxamine) and Anafranil (clomipramine) have been approved along with Prozac to treat kids with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).?? Just because a medication is not FDA-approved doesnt mean that your doctor wont prescribe it, however, particularly if you have an older child. Physicians often prescribe other antidepressants for children and teens that are not FDA-approved because they have been proven to be effective and fairly safe. Be sure to read the medication guide that comes with your childs antidepressant to find out more information, such as risks, side effects, and cautions. Serious Side Effects The most serious potential side effect of antidepressant use in people under 25 is that some data has shown that starting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may worsen suicidal thoughts.?? This side effect is rare, but its serious enough that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) placed a black box warning about it on every prescription antidepressant. Also, dealing with depression in and of itself can cause suicidal thoughts and/or behavior, which is yet another reason antidepressants should be considered carefully for moderate to severe depression with the help of your doctor. The benefits of using antidepressants usually outweigh the potential problems as they can be extremely helpful in an uplifting mood and lessening anxiety. Signs of Suicidal Thoughts in Children Warning signs of suicidal thoughts may not be very obvious, which is why you need to watch your child closely when she first starts on an antidepressant or whenever her dosage is changed. Warning signs may include:?? Becoming increasingly sadderPanic attacksTalking about dyingBecoming anxious or more anxious than beforeBeing restless and agitatedDeveloping problems at school or with friends or siblingsIncreasing isolationTrying to hurt himselfNoticeably talking or moving around moreBecoming violent, aggressive, or mean If you see any of these signs in your child, particularly if they are new or noticeably worse than before, be sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. A Word From Verywell In general, antidepressants are safe and effective to treat depression and anxiety in children and teenagers, especially when combined with psychotherapy.?? Also, keep in mind that antidepressant use is often temporary and may just be needed for a short time. If your child has mild depression, psychotherapy may be all they need to help their symptoms improve. However, if the depression is severe or not responding to psychotherapy, an antidepressant may be needed to help your child live the best and  most fulfilling life they can. If you have concerns and questions, be sure to discuss them with a mental health professional.