To work properly, antidepressants need to be taken consistently at the prescribed dose. Managing medicationsĬarefully monitor your teen's use of medications. This requires patience, as some medications need several weeks or longer to take full effect and for side effects to ease as the body adjusts. Finding the right medicationĮveryone's different, so finding the right medication or dose for your teen may take some trial and error. Keep in mind that antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run by improving mood. If your teen has suicidal thoughts while taking an antidepressant, immediately contact your doctor or get emergency help.įor most teens who need an antidepressant, the benefits of taking an antidepressant outweigh any risks. Though it's uncommon, some children, teens and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed.Īnyone taking an antidepressant should be watched closely for worsening depression or unusual behavior, especially when first beginning a new medication or with a change in dosage. Most antidepressants are generally safe, but the FDA requires all antidepressants to carry a black box warning, the strictest warning for prescriptions. Talk with your teen's doctor about medication options and possible side effects, weighing the benefits and risks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two medications for teen depression - fluoxetine (Prozac) and escitalopram (Lexapro). Here's a closer look at depression treatment options. If your teen has severe depression or is in danger of self-harm, he or she may need a hospital stay or may need to participate in an outpatient treatment program until symptoms improve. A combination of talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medication can be very effective for most teens with depression. Treatment depends on the type and severity of your teenager's depression symptoms. This includes depression that's caused by the use of recreational or illegal drugs, certain prescribed medications, or a medical condition. The symptoms are minimal or gone after the period ends. This involves depression symptoms associated with hormone changes that begin a week before and improve within a few days after the onset of a menstrual period. While it's usually not disabling, persistent depressive disorder can prevent functioning normally in daily routines and from living life to its fullest. Sometimes called dysthymia (dis-THIE-me-uh), this is a less severe but more chronic form of depression. This disorder typically develops into depressive disorder or anxiety disorder during the teen years or adulthood. This mood disorder in children includes chronic and severe irritability and anger with frequent extreme temper outbursts. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.Cyclothymic (sy-kloe-THIE-mik) disorder involves highs and lows that are milder than those of bipolar disorder. It's sometimes difficult to distinguish between bipolar disorder and depression. These mood disorders include mood swings that range from major highs to major lows. The doctor or mental health professional's evaluation will help determine if the symptoms of depression are caused by one of these conditions: An accurate diagnosis is the key to getting appropriate treatment. Several other disorders include depression as a symptom. Other disorders that cause depression symptoms Atypical features - depression that includes the ability to be temporarily cheered by happy events, increased appetite, excessive need for sleep, sensitivity to rejection, and a heavy feeling in arms or legs.Melancholic features - severe depression with lack of response to something that used to bring pleasure and associated with early morning awakening, worsened mood in the morning, major changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt, agitation or sluggishness.Anxious distress - depression with unusual restlessness or worry about possible events or loss of control.To clarify the type of depression your teen has, the doctor may use one or more specifiers, which means depression with specific features. Symptoms caused by major depression can vary from person to person.
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