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Depression: Should my child take medicine to treat depression?
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
Depression: Should my child take medicine to treat depression?
Get the facts
Your options
- Have your child take medicine for depression.
- Don't have your child take medicine. Use counseling or home treatment to help manage your child's symptoms.
Key points to remember
- If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better. But if your child's symptoms don't improve with counseling, you can add medicine to the treatment.
- If your child's symptoms are severe, a combination of antidepressants and counseling often works better than if only one of these treatments is used.
- It's normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
- Stress, family problems, death of a loved one, or trauma such as violence, abuse, or neglect can cause depression.
- The safety and long-term effects of medicines used to treat depression in children and teens are not fully known. But experts believe that the benefits of these medicines outweigh the risks.
- If your child needs to take medicine, help him or her to not feel ashamed about taking it. Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw or weakness. Medicine can help your child feel better.
FAQs
What is depression in children and teens?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can take the joy from your child's life. It may occur when brain chemicals that affect your child's mood get out of balance. Stress, family problems, or trauma such as violence, abuse, or neglect can cause this to happen.
Depression runs in families. Children and teens who have a parent with depression are 3 times more likely to have depression than children with parents who are not depressed.1 As many as 3 out of 100 children and 9 out of 100 teens have serious depression.2
How do you know if your child is depressed?
It may be hard to know if your child is depressed or just moody. It's normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. It's often just a part of growing up. You can expect these feelings after the death of a loved one or pet, a move to a new city, or a divorce.
But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression. Learn how to recognize the difference by comparing your child's symptoms of sadness or moodiness with depression.
If your child is just moody, he or she probably doesn't need treatment. But if your child is depressed, he or she may need medicine, counseling, or both to feel better.
It may also be hard to know if your child's symptoms are caused by something other than depression. Some medical problems can cause symptoms that look like depression. Your child's doctor may do some tests to help rule out physical problems, such as a low thyroid level or anemia, and other problems such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or an eating disorder.
What are the risks of not treating your child's depression?
If your child is depressed, he or she is more likely to:3
- Do poorly in school or at work.
- Have relationship problems with friends and family members.
- Get pregnant.
- Get sick.
- Smoke.
- Abuse alcohol or drugs. About 30 out of 100 teens with depression will have alcohol or drug use problems, while 70 will not.4
- Try or commit suicide. If your child has severe depression, he or she is at a greater risk for suicide or attempted suicide. Some warning signs of suicide might include substance abuse problems or thoughts about death. In the United States, about 2,000 teens commit suicide each year.5 Suicide attempts in children younger than age 12 are rare.
What medicines can your child take for depression?
Medicines called antidepressants are used to treat depression in children and teens. They can help balance the chemicals in the brain that affect your child's mood, and they can help reduce your child's symptoms.
There are several types of antidepressant medicines. But only fluoxetine (Prozac) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression in children and teens. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The FDA hasn't approved the use of other antidepressants in children, but they may be used.
Fluoxetine is usually the first type of antidepressant given. Another SSRI, such as citalopram (Celexa) or sertraline (Zoloft), may be tried if fluoxetine doesn't help your child feel better.
Other medicines may also be used. But the possible side effects of these medicines are more serious than those of SSRIs. These other medicines include:
- Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (such as Wellbutrin).
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including tranylcypromine (such as Parnate) and phenelzine (such as Nardil).
- Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline and desipramine (such as Norpramin).
A combination of fluoxetine and counseling often works better than if only one kind of treatment is used. This is especially true if your child's symptoms are severe. One study showed that:6
- Out of 100 children who took medicine and got counseling, 71 were helped, and 29 were not.
- Out of 100 children who used only medicine, 60 were helped, and 40 were not.
- Out of 100 children who used only counseling, 43 were helped, and 57 were not.
What can you expect if your child takes medicine for depression?
Your child will take pills or liquid medicine every day for as long as he or she needs them. Your child may start to feel better within 1 to 3 weeks after starting an SSRI. But it can take as many as 6 to 8 weeks to see more improvement. It's important that your child takes the medicine as prescribed and keeps taking it so it has time to work.
If you have questions or concerns about your child's medicine, or if you don't notice any improvement by 3 weeks, talk to your doctor. Your child may need to try several different medicines to find one that works.
Your child's medicine may cause side effects, but they will usually go away within the first few weeks. Common side effects include:
- Nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea.
- Headaches.
- Sleep problems or drowsiness.
- Feeling anxious or grouchy.
- Feeling dizzy or shaky (tremor).
There is also a small chance that your child might think about suicide while taking antidepressants, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.
Studies by the FDA have found that:
- About 4 out of 100 children who used an antidepressant had suicidal thoughts or behavior. This means that 96 out of 100 children who used antidepressants didn't have suicidal thoughts or behavior.7
- The benefit of taking antidepressants was greater than the risk of suicide in children and teens. For some young people, taking an antidepressant can help ease the symptoms of depression and may actually reduce the risk of suicide in the long run.8
What other treatments are available?
If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better.
There are different types of counseling that may help your child.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help your child understand why he or she feels a certain way. And it can help your child cope with problems by changing the way he or she thinks and behaves.
- Interpersonal therapy can help your child build relationships with others.
- Problem-solving therapy can help your child find positive ways to deal with problems.
- Family therapy provides a place for your child and the entire family to express fears and concerns and learn new ways of getting along.
- Play therapy engages children in activities that can help them cope with their problems and fears.
Here are some things that you can do at home to help your child feel better:
- Encourage your child to exercise, eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep.
- Make time to talk and listen to your child and express your love and support.
- Remind your child that things will get better in time.
Why might your doctor recommend medicine to treat your child's depression?
Your doctor may advise that your child take medicine for depression if:
- Your child's symptoms are severe.
- Your child hasn't gotten better with counseling alone.
Compare your options
Compare
What is usually involved? |
| |
What are the benefits? |
| |
What are the risks and side effects? |
|
Have your child take
medicine for depression
Have your child take
medicine for depression
- Your child takes antidepressant pills or liquid medicine every day for as long as he or she needs them.
- Your child may also see a counselor.
- Antidepressants can help balance the chemicals in the brain that affect your child's mood, and they can reduce your child's symptoms of depression.
- Your child may feel better and enjoy life again.
- Possible side effects include nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, and loss of appetite.
- There is a small chance that your child may think about suicide while taking antidepressants.
Don't have your child
take medicine for depression
Don't have your child
take medicine for depression
- Your child sees a counselor for depression.
- You try to manage your child's symptoms at home with exercise, rest, healthy foods, and support.
- If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better.
- Your child can avoid the side effects of medicine.
- You don't have to pay for medicine.
- If your child's symptoms don't improve with counseling, you can decide later to try medicine.
- Your child's depression could get worse. He or she may find other ways to feel better, such as by smoking or using alcohol or illegal drugs.
- If your child has severe depression, he or she is at greater risk for attempting suicide.
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
Personal stories about deciding whether to use medicine to treat depression in children and teens
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
Tyler has always loved playing soccer, has had a lot of friends, and his grades have been average. Since starting junior high school, though, Tyler has decided he is not good enough to play soccer and he quit the team. He doesn't hang out with the friends he used to have in grade school, is irritable most of the time, and prefers to be alone. Occasionally he still jokes around with his younger brothers and is able to laugh with them at pranks they pull on one another. His grades have slipped a little, but he does do his homework daily. At a routine checkup, his mother asked our doctor whether Tyler could be depressed. After asking Tyler a few questions, the doctor said he didn't think so, but he recommended that we watch him for further signs of depression. We've encouraged him to join a few after-school activities. For now, we're taking a wait-and-see approach.
Neal, father of Tyler, age 13
Sarah has gone from an outgoing, happy child to a quiet child who worries about everything. If Sarah is not crying, she is irritable and moody. She has stopped all interest in her favorite hobbies and doesn't seem to enjoy anything in her daily life. She sleeps a lot and has gained more than 10 pounds over the past month. She's been acting this way for around 6 months. I took Sarah to a child counselor, who said she has mild to moderate depression. The counselor recommended that Sarah try an antidepressant along with the counseling to try to improve her mood and lessen the impact of the depression. I think the medication might help, and Sarah is willing to try one or two medications until the right medication is found.
Tisha, mother of Sarah, age 11
After Heather broke up with her boyfriend, she cried all the time. She has a lot of friends who called to console her. She thought that if she could only get his attention, the boyfriend would want her back. My wife caught Heather going through our medicine cabinet looking for pills that might make her sick, so we took her to the doctor who recommended a therapist. Heather is seeing the therapist, but we've decided not to put her on medication. We think her problem came from this one situation with the boyfriend, and once she learns some new coping skills, we hope she'll be better able to handle future disappointments.
Adrien, father of Heather, age 16
Jerome got caught smoking at school, and I suspected he had been drinking alcohol. Jerome was arguing with his teachers and with me and said no one understands him. He would listen to music with angry lyrics or sit alone in his room in the dark. I found a list Jerome wrote identifying who should get his things should something happen to him. I dragged him to a counselor, as he didn't want to go. The counselor said Jerome was severely depressed. His father had been diagnosed with depression several years ago. After a few sessions with the counselor, Jerome agreed to try an antidepressant. His dad and I will help him stick with his medication schedule for as long as it takes for Jerome to get better.
Lasandra, mother of Jerome, age 15
If you need more information, see the topic Depression in Children and Teens.
What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons for your child to take medicine for depression
Reasons for your child not to take medicine
My child wants to try medicine.
My child doesn't want to try medicine.
More important
Equally important
More important
My child's depression isn't improving with counseling alone.
I want my child to continue counseling, without medicine, at least for a while.
More important
Equally important
More important
I'm worried that depression is affecting my child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family.
My child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family don't seem to be affected.
More important
Equally important
More important
I'm concerned that my child might try alcohol or drugs to feel better.
I'm not concerned that my child might try alcohol or drugs to feel better.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
My child taking medicine
My child NOT taking medicine
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1.
Counseling may be enough to help my child feel better.
- TrueThat's right. If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better.
- FalseSorry, that's not right. If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "What other treatments are available?" If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better.
2.
If my child's symptoms are severe, he or she just needs to take medicine to get better.
- TrueSorry, that's not right. If your child's symptoms are severe, a combination of antidepressants and counseling often works better than if only one of these treatments is used.
- FalseThat's right. If your child's symptoms are severe, a combination of antidepressants and counseling often works better than if only one of these treatments is used.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "What medicines can your child take for depression?" A combination of antidepressants and counseling often works better than if only one of these treatments is used.
3.
I shouldn't worry if my child has been moody or sad for weeks.
- TrueSorry, that's not right. It's normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
- FalseThat's right. It's normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
- I'm not sureIt may help to go back and read "How do you know if your child is depressed?" If your child has been moody or sad for weeks or months, he or she may be depressed.
Decide what's next
1.
Do you understand the options available to you?
2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Your summary
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and references
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
References
Citations
- Dahl RE, Brent D (2003). Affective disorders and suicide. In CD Rudolph et al., eds., Rudolph's Pediatrics, 21st ed., pp. 501–503. New York: McGraw–Hill.
- Dulcan MK, et al. (2003). Mood disorders section of Adult disorders that may begin in childhood or adolescence. In Concise Guide to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 3rd ed., pp. 129–177. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2007). Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with depressive disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(11): 1503-1526.
- Renaud J, et al. (1999). A risk-benefit assessment of pharmacotherapies for clinical depression in children and adolescents. Drug Safety, 20(1): 59–75.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2001). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with suicidal behavior. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(Suppl 7): 24S–51S.
- March JS, et al. (2004). Fluoxetine, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and their combination for adolescents with depression: Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS) Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA, 292(7): 807–820.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2007). Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Available online: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/default.htm.
- Bridge JA, et al. (2007). Clinical response and risk for reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in pediatric antidepressant treatment: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA, 297(15): 1683–1695.
Depression: Should my child take medicine to treat depression?
You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
- Get the facts
- Compare your options
- What matters most to you?
- Where are you leaning now?
- What else do you need to make your decision?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
- Have your child take medicine for depression.
- Don't have your child take medicine. Use counseling or home treatment to help manage your child's symptoms.
Key points to remember
- If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better. But if your child's symptoms don't improve with counseling, you can add medicine to the treatment.
- If your child's symptoms are severe, a combination of antidepressants and counseling often works better than if only one of these treatments is used.
- It's normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
- Stress, family problems, death of a loved one, or trauma such as violence, abuse, or neglect can cause depression.
- The safety and long-term effects of medicines used to treat depression in children and teens are not fully known. But experts believe that the benefits of these medicines outweigh the risks.
- If your child needs to take medicine, help him or her to not feel ashamed about taking it. Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw or weakness. Medicine can help your child feel better.
FAQs
What is depression in children and teens?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can take the joy from your child's life. It may occur when brain chemicals that affect your child's mood get out of balance. Stress, family problems, or trauma such as violence, abuse, or neglect can cause this to happen.
Depression runs in families. Children and teens who have a parent with depression are 3 times more likely to have depression than children with parents who are not depressed.1 As many as 3 out of 100 children and 9 out of 100 teens have serious depression.2
How do you know if your child is depressed?
It may be hard to know if your child is depressed or just moody. It's normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. It's often just a part of growing up. You can expect these feelings after the death of a loved one or pet, a move to a new city, or a divorce.
But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression. Learn how to recognize the difference by comparing your child's symptoms of sadness or moodiness with depression.
If your child is just moody, he or she probably doesn't need treatment. But if your child is depressed, he or she may need medicine, counseling, or both to feel better.
It may also be hard to know if your child's symptoms are caused by something other than depression. Some medical problems can cause symptoms that look like depression. Your child's doctor may do some tests to help rule out physical problems, such as a low thyroid level or anemia, and other problems such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or an eating disorder.
What are the risks of not treating your child's depression?
If your child is depressed, he or she is more likely to:3
- Do poorly in school or at work.
- Have relationship problems with friends and family members.
- Get pregnant.
- Get sick.
- Smoke.
- Abuse alcohol or drugs. About 30 out of 100 teens with depression will have alcohol or drug use problems, while 70 will not.4
- Try or commit suicide. If your child has severe depression, he or she is at a greater risk for suicide or attempted suicide. Some warning signs of suicide might include substance abuse problems or thoughts about death. In the United States, about 2,000 teens commit suicide each year.5 Suicide attempts in children younger than age 12 are rare.
What medicines can your child take for depression?
Medicines called antidepressants are used to treat depression in children and teens. They can help balance the chemicals in the brain that affect your child's mood, and they can help reduce your child's symptoms.
There are several types of antidepressant medicines. But only fluoxetine (Prozac) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat depression in children and teens. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The FDA hasn't approved the use of other antidepressants in children, but they may be used.
Fluoxetine is usually the first type of antidepressant given. Another SSRI, such as citalopram (Celexa) or sertraline (Zoloft), may be tried if fluoxetine doesn't help your child feel better.
Other medicines may also be used. But the possible side effects of these medicines are more serious than those of SSRIs. These other medicines include:
- Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (such as Wellbutrin).
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including tranylcypromine (such as Parnate) and phenelzine (such as Nardil).
- Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline and desipramine (such as Norpramin).
A combination of fluoxetine and counseling often works better than if only one kind of treatment is used. This is especially true if your child's symptoms are severe. One study showed that:6
- Out of 100 children who took medicine and got counseling, 71 were helped, and 29 were not.
- Out of 100 children who used only medicine, 60 were helped, and 40 were not.
- Out of 100 children who used only counseling, 43 were helped, and 57 were not.
What can you expect if your child takes medicine for depression?
Your child will take pills or liquid medicine every day for as long as he or she needs them. Your child may start to feel better within 1 to 3 weeks after starting an SSRI. But it can take as many as 6 to 8 weeks to see more improvement. It's important that your child takes the medicine as prescribed and keeps taking it so it has time to work.
If you have questions or concerns about your child's medicine, or if you don't notice any improvement by 3 weeks, talk to your doctor. Your child may need to try several different medicines to find one that works.
Your child's medicine may cause side effects, but they will usually go away within the first few weeks. Common side effects include:
- Nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea.
- Headaches.
- Sleep problems or drowsiness.
- Feeling anxious or grouchy.
- Feeling dizzy or shaky (tremor).
There is also a small chance that your child might think about suicide while taking antidepressants, especially during the first few weeks of treatment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.
Studies by the FDA have found that:
- About 4 out of 100 children who used an antidepressant had suicidal thoughts or behavior. This means that 96 out of 100 children who used antidepressants didn't have suicidal thoughts or behavior.7
- The benefit of taking antidepressants was greater than the risk of suicide in children and teens. For some young people, taking an antidepressant can help ease the symptoms of depression and may actually reduce the risk of suicide in the long run.8
What other treatments are available?
If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better.
There are different types of counseling that may help your child.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help your child understand why he or she feels a certain way. And it can help your child cope with problems by changing the way he or she thinks and behaves.
- Interpersonal therapy can help your child build relationships with others.
- Problem-solving therapy can help your child find positive ways to deal with problems.
- Family therapy provides a place for your child and the entire family to express fears and concerns and learn new ways of getting along.
- Play therapy engages children in activities that can help them cope with their problems and fears.
Here are some things that you can do at home to help your child feel better:
- Encourage your child to exercise, eat healthy foods, and get enough sleep.
- Make time to talk and listen to your child and express your love and support.
- Remind your child that things will get better in time.
Why might your doctor recommend medicine to treat your child's depression?
Your doctor may advise that your child take medicine for depression if:
- Your child's symptoms are severe.
- Your child hasn't gotten better with counseling alone.
2. Compare your options
| Have your child take medicine for depression | Don't have your child take medicine for depression | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
Personal stories
Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These personal stories may help you decide.
If you need more information, see the topic Depression in Children and Teens.
Personal stories about deciding whether to use medicine to treat depression in children and teens
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"Tyler has always loved playing soccer, has had a lot of friends, and his grades have been average. Since starting junior high school, though, Tyler has decided he is not good enough to play soccer and he quit the team. He doesn't hang out with the friends he used to have in grade school, is irritable most of the time, and prefers to be alone. Occasionally he still jokes around with his younger brothers and is able to laugh with them at pranks they pull on one another. His grades have slipped a little, but he does do his homework daily. At a routine checkup, his mother asked our doctor whether Tyler could be depressed. After asking Tyler a few questions, the doctor said he didn't think so, but he recommended that we watch him for further signs of depression. We've encouraged him to join a few after-school activities. For now, we're taking a wait-and-see approach."
— Neal, father of Tyler, age 13
"Sarah has gone from an outgoing, happy child to a quiet child who worries about everything. If Sarah is not crying, she is irritable and moody. She has stopped all interest in her favorite hobbies and doesn't seem to enjoy anything in her daily life. She sleeps a lot and has gained more than 10 pounds over the past month. She's been acting this way for around 6 months. I took Sarah to a child counselor, who said she has mild to moderate depression. The counselor recommended that Sarah try an antidepressant along with the counseling to try to improve her mood and lessen the impact of the depression. I think the medication might help, and Sarah is willing to try one or two medications until the right medication is found."
— Tisha, mother of Sarah, age 11
"After Heather broke up with her boyfriend, she cried all the time. She has a lot of friends who called to console her. She thought that if she could only get his attention, the boyfriend would want her back. My wife caught Heather going through our medicine cabinet looking for pills that might make her sick, so we took her to the doctor who recommended a therapist. Heather is seeing the therapist, but we've decided not to put her on medication. We think her problem came from this one situation with the boyfriend, and once she learns some new coping skills, we hope she'll be better able to handle future disappointments."
— Adrien, father of Heather, age 16
"Jerome got caught smoking at school, and I suspected he had been drinking alcohol. Jerome was arguing with his teachers and with me and said no one understands him. He would listen to music with angry lyrics or sit alone in his room in the dark. I found a list Jerome wrote identifying who should get his things should something happen to him. I dragged him to a counselor, as he didn't want to go. The counselor said Jerome was severely depressed. His father had been diagnosed with depression several years ago. After a few sessions with the counselor, Jerome agreed to try an antidepressant. His dad and I will help him stick with his medication schedule for as long as it takes for Jerome to get better."
— Lasandra, mother of Jerome, age 15
3. What matters most to you?
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons for your child to take medicine for depression
Reasons for your child not to take medicine
My child wants to try medicine.
My child doesn't want to try medicine.
More important
Equally important
More important
My child's depression isn't improving with counseling alone.
I want my child to continue counseling, without medicine, at least for a while.
More important
Equally important
More important
I'm worried that depression is affecting my child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family.
My child's schoolwork and relationships with friends and family don't seem to be affected.
More important
Equally important
More important
I'm concerned that my child might try alcohol or drugs to feel better.
I'm not concerned that my child might try alcohol or drugs to feel better.
More important
Equally important
More important
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
More important
Equally important
More important
4. Where are you leaning now?
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
My child taking medicine
My child NOT taking medicine
Leaning toward
Undecided
Leaning toward
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
1. Counseling may be enough to help my child feel better.
- True
- False
- I'm not sure
That's right. If your child's symptoms are mild, counseling or lifestyle changes may be enough to help your child feel better.
2. If my child's symptoms are severe, he or she just needs to take medicine to get better.
- True
- False
- I'm not sure
That's right. If your child's symptoms are severe, a combination of antidepressants and counseling often works better than if only one of these treatments is used.
3. I shouldn't worry if my child has been moody or sad for weeks.
- True
- False
- I'm not sure
That's right. It's normal for a child to be moody or sad from time to time. But if these feelings last for weeks or months, they may be a sign of depression.
Decide what's next
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Not sure at all
Somewhat sure
Very sure
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
- I'm ready to take action.
- I want to discuss the options with others.
- I want to learn more about my options.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry |
References
Citations
- Dahl RE, Brent D (2003). Affective disorders and suicide. In CD Rudolph et al., eds., Rudolph's Pediatrics, 21st ed., pp. 501–503. New York: McGraw–Hill.
- Dulcan MK, et al. (2003). Mood disorders section of Adult disorders that may begin in childhood or adolescence. In Concise Guide to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 3rd ed., pp. 129–177. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2007). Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with depressive disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46(11): 1503-1526.
- Renaud J, et al. (1999). A risk-benefit assessment of pharmacotherapies for clinical depression in children and adolescents. Drug Safety, 20(1): 59–75.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (2001). Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with suicidal behavior. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40(Suppl 7): 24S–51S.
- March JS, et al. (2004). Fluoxetine, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and their combination for adolescents with depression: Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS) Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA, 292(7): 807–820.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2007). Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults. Available online: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/default.htm.
- Bridge JA, et al. (2007). Clinical response and risk for reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in pediatric antidepressant treatment: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA, 297(15): 1683–1695.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
Last Updated:January 29, 2009
Author:Jeannette Curtis
Medical Review:Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics & Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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