“Are antidepressants safe for children?”
My 8 year old daughter suffers with depression. Are antidepressants safe and recommended for a child her age? I am terrified of the potential side effects.
3 Answers
No!
Hi,
Thanks for your question. If your 8-year-old daughter has depression, she should be evaluated by a mental health professional who can discuss several options with you about course of treatment, including her own individual therapy, family therapy, parenting counseling, support groups, and medication management. This evaluation would generally include, but not be limited to:
- A detailed review of any potential risk factors your child may have that increase the risk of self-harm
- An assessment of whether your child may have other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or bipolar disorder
- An evaluation of whether there's a family history of mental illnesses or suicide
Regarding antidepressants in children: these medications might be an effective way to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, and other mental health conditions either on their own or in combination with consistent therapy. It is important to note that the FDA issues a black box warning for antidepressants about increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some individuals under the age of 25. The warnings about a possible link between antidepressants and suicidal thoughts do not mean that antidepressants should not be used in children. Nor are the warnings meant to frighten people away from antidepressants. However, the warnings should be taken as a caution to carefully weigh the pros and cons of using antidepressants in children and teenagers against the real risk of suicide as a result of untreated depression.
I hope this has been helpful!
Best,
Jenna Torres, PsyD
Thanks for your question. If your 8-year-old daughter has depression, she should be evaluated by a mental health professional who can discuss several options with you about course of treatment, including her own individual therapy, family therapy, parenting counseling, support groups, and medication management. This evaluation would generally include, but not be limited to:
- A detailed review of any potential risk factors your child may have that increase the risk of self-harm
- An assessment of whether your child may have other mental illnesses, such as anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or bipolar disorder
- An evaluation of whether there's a family history of mental illnesses or suicide
Regarding antidepressants in children: these medications might be an effective way to treat depression, anxiety, OCD, and other mental health conditions either on their own or in combination with consistent therapy. It is important to note that the FDA issues a black box warning for antidepressants about increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some individuals under the age of 25. The warnings about a possible link between antidepressants and suicidal thoughts do not mean that antidepressants should not be used in children. Nor are the warnings meant to frighten people away from antidepressants. However, the warnings should be taken as a caution to carefully weigh the pros and cons of using antidepressants in children and teenagers against the real risk of suicide as a result of untreated depression.
I hope this has been helpful!
Best,
Jenna Torres, PsyD
I don't turn to medication as a first step for kids. Always start with therapy. Her depression came from somewhere. A good therapist will help uncover that and treat the root of it instead of medicating a symptom first.
