Treating Depression In Teens
Treating Depression In Teens is very different from treating adults with depression. The main differences are psychological. The two main treatments for teenagers with depression are a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Care must be taken when using medications such as anti-depressants in teens. Studies have been done and show that medications are effective in treating depression in teens but these drugs can potentially also have some unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. A main concern of using these drugs is that there seems to be a correlation between the use of these medications and suicidal thoughts in the depressed teens. Studies have shown that the risk of these thoughts are nearly doubled compared to the teens that were not taking the antidepressants. The FDA now requires the manufacturers of these drugs place a warning label about all of the risks associated with the drug on the packaging inserts.
What are my options?
Well, the first thing that you should always do is take your child to a qualified psychiatrist who can discuss treatment options with you. Many experts today feel that antidepressants can be a good option for treating depression in teens and children but they all agree that they must be used with extreme caution. Every child is different and will respond to the drugs in there own way. You must monitor the child and pay very close attention to moods and behavioral patterns. The first months of treatment are the most crucial and close attention must be given to the child for any type of suicidal thoughts or tendencies.
Suicidal Remarks?
The first thing is that you should never “brush off” any type of suicidal remark with a teen or child. Unlike adults, children are much more likely to act on these thoughts because they are by nature, much more impulsive than adults. Research has shown that the areas of our brain that govern judgement, are not completely developed until later on in life. Therefore, if your child does make a comment that seems suicidal, you should always talk about it immediately with the child. Ask the child questions about what they are actually thinking and if they are just frustrated or do they really feel like doing these things.
If you have any doubt at all or are concerened that your child is serious and is not just frustrated or saying things in anger, you should call your psychiatrist or pediatrician for advice and further options.
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- Posted by sarah
- Tagged Depression
