Antidepressants and Children

Administering antidepressants to children has long been a controversial issue. Before taking the route of prescription medication, parents should discuss the risks and benefits with their child’s doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration recommends discussing the risks of self-injury or suicide while taking antidepressants and advises parents to monitor their children should they decide to medicate.

There has been some evidence to show that children taking antidepressants experience increased thoughts of self-injury or suicide, which may seem counterproductive to most parents. It is imperative that parents monitor their children and report any sudden changes in mood to their doctors. Children who have been prescribed antidepressants should also see their doctor frequently for check-ups.

Suicidal thoughts are more likely to increase with medication if the patient has a previous history or family history of suicidal behaviors. Prozac is recommended for treatment of depression in children, along with Zoloft and Anafranil for illnesses such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Growing Controversy

Even celebrities are joining the increasing voice against administering psychiatric drugs, including antidepressants, to children. Celebrity moms Kelly Preston and Kirstie Alley recently joined other concerned parents in a march against the American Pyschiatric Association. The march protested what many believe to be an increasing push to medicate children with potentially addictive psychiatric drugs and antidepressants.

In light of these recent findings, antidepressants now contain a black box warning on their labels. The black box signifies the potential for serious injury or death. Attempting to weigh the benefits of administering antidepressants to children who truly need them against the possibility of serious self-injury or suicide is an immensely difficult task for both the child’s doctor and parents.

Parents and doctors may want to discuss alternative options such as therapy or other potential remedies before resorting to prescription medication. It is important to remember that there are numerous benefits to prescription drugs, however. In particular, Prozac has been found to treat depression in children effectively both alone and when combined with cognitive behavioral therapy.

While any prescription medication comes with a risk, it is up to the parents and their child’s doctor to decide if the benefits of medicating outweigh that risk.