Antidepressant medications are often an effective way to treat depression in children and adolescents particularly in conjunction with psychotherapy. However, it is important to be aware of the possible side effects of antidepressants and the alternatives to antidepressant medication.
Which antidepressants are approved for use in children?
Prozac (fluoxetine) is approved for use in children and adolescents for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Luvox (fluvoxamine) are approved for use in children and adolescents for the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder.
Other antidepressants for adults that are not approved for use in children include Paxil (paroxetine), Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Wellbutrin (bupropion), Effexor (venlafaxine), Serzone (nefazodone), and Remeron (mirtazapine).
However a doctor can use their medical judgment to prescribe other antidepressants for children.
What are the risks associated with Antidepressants?
Antidepressants can produce harmful side effects and complications. Antidepressants carry warnings about their possible link to suicidal behaviour.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required that black box warnings be placed on all antidepressant medications warning that they may result in increased risk of suicidal tendencies in children and adolescents. A black box warning is a safety warning that the FDA issues for some prescription medication.
You can find this warning on the package insert. It usually contains a black border that surrounds the text of the warning. [See Image]
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that an extensive analysis of clinical trials showed that antidepressants may cause or worsen suicidal thinking or behaviour in children and adolescents.
The analysis showed that children taking antidepressants had about a 4 percent chance of developing suicidal thoughts or behaviour, compared with only a 2 percent chance in children taking a sugar pill (placebo).
The FDA in October 2004 issued a public health advisory and began requiring manufacturers to label antidepressants with strong warnings about the link to suicide in children.
However, not all mental health researchers believe these warnings are necessary. Some studies have reported opposite results — that suicide rates in children decrease when they take antidepressants.
Should any antidepressants be approved for use in children?
Just because there is a warning about a possible link between antidepressants and suicidal thoughts does not mean that antidepressants should not be used to treat depression.
The warnings that come with antidepressants should just be used to weigh up the pros and cons before using these medications.
Antidepressants can be an effective way of treating depression and often work well with psychotherapy. They are not used to just treat depression but other disorders including obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Depression and other disorders can prevent your child leading a happy and fulfilled life or engage in everyday activities. Depression can in some cases lead to suicide if it is not treated.
Should I take my child or adolescent off anti-depressants?
You should consult with your doctor responsible for your Childs medication to discuss the best course of action if you observe worsening depression or the emergence of suicidal thinking.
Do not halt the antidepressant medication without first consulting with the prescribing doctor as this can cause discontinuation symptoms if stopped abruptly. If your doctor advices that your child should stop then follow his advice carefully on how to do this.
What groups benefit the most from antidepressant drugs?
Antidepressants may be particularly helpful for children who:
- Suffer from severe, chronic or recurring depression
- Suffer from psychosis or Bipolar disorder
- Do not often have access to therapy
- Suffer from Dysthymia depression
Are there alternatives to antidepressants?
Huge improvements to mood and overall health can be gained by what you eat. What you eat affects brain chemistry.
Making changes to your children eating habits can dramatically effect their mood. The following changes have been recommended:
Give them a balanced diet and a rich nutritional supplement. Low levels of serotonin levels in the brain are known to have a significant impact on mood and many factors that contribute to low serotonin production are created by nutritional deficiencies.
Limiting consumption of carbohydrates. While you should not eliminate all complex carbohydrates limiting carbohydrates can reduce depression.
Limit food and drink containing colourings and preservatives.
Exercise releases endorphins which creates a natural euphoria and reduces stress.
Sunlight contributes to mood and there is a real connection between vitamin D deficiency and depression. It’s commonly known that natural sunlight stimulates vitamin D production in the body.
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