What is the consensus/protocol on teenagers and antidepressants use?

Few people may care to admit it, but teenagers suffer from depression just like adults. The National Institute of Mental Health claims that about 3 million American teenagers get depression at some point. You are probably wondering how they get depression. Some factors contributing to the condition include bullying, family discord, academic pressure, low self-esteem, etc.

The typical treatment for depression is antidepressants. Since doctors usually prescribe them to adults, you may wonder whether teens can use them. The Child Mind Institute agrees that teenagers can use them. However, as a parent, you must ensure your child takes them correctly. All antidepressants indicate the dosage, so you should encourage your child to take note of that.

Another thing you should know is that children respond differently to antidepressants. Around 55-65% of teens do not respond to their first doses. That means you may have to put them on second doses while also trying therapy.

1.     Which antidepressants are considered the safest for teens?

Clomipramine (10 years and older)

Doctors prescribe this medication to children with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). People with OCD experience endless thoughts that lead them to engage in repetitive behaviors. All these thoughts lead to depression because the person is unable to enjoy fun activities. This drug enables the patient to relax by increasing serotonin amounts.

Initially, teenagers will need to take the drug 3 times daily with meals. After their bodies adjust to the medication, they only need to take it once before bedtime. One mistake your teen shouldn’t make is stopping to take them because they feel better. That is because they will experience withdrawal symptoms such as headache, weakness, nausea, irritability, and fever. Let your doctor determine when to reduce the dosage instead.

Fluoxetine (8 years and over)

This drug helps children battling OCD, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder. Like the previous drug, it increases serotonin amounts in the brain. Its side effects show up immediately but are usually mild and disappear within a few weeks. Your teenager may complain of restlessness, sleep changes, headaches and gastrointestinal issues.

Doctors will first recommend that the teenager takes a dosage of 10 mg per day. They will only increase the dosage to 20 mg if your depressive symptoms do not disappear. However, if the teenager has a lower weight, the doctor will recommend 30 mg per day. Whatever you do, do not let your child take the drug alone. Ensure you supervise them to ensure they do not miss a dose and take the right amount.

Lurasidone (10 years and over)

Although the drug is usually prescribed to adults with schizophrenia, it can treat depression in teens. It comes in tablet form and must be taken with a meal (at least 350 calories) daily. If you are taking clarithromycin, phenytoin, or carbamazepine, avoid this medication. In this case, your doctor will prescribe another drug.

Sometimes, your teen may miss a dosage because they forgot or were too busy. Once they remember they missed a dose, they may double the dose. Do not allow teenagers to do that. Instead, they should skip the missed dose and continue taking the drugs as they have been doing.

2.     How does a caregiver know when a teen might need antidepressants?

When your teen is going through depression, chances are high that they will not talk about it. In fact, they will appear joyful to hide their sadness, making it hard to suspect anything. Nevertheless, they will occasionally display signs of depression. As soon as you notice that, put them on antidepressants. Here are signs to watch out for depression in your teens:

• Talks about suicide
• Suicide attempts
• A sharp drop in school performance
• Violence
• Trouble sleeping
• Self-harm
• Panic attacks
• Spending more time alone
• Using a lot of energy to talk or work

3.     What are some actionable ways to support a teen living with depression?

Assuming you have observed signs of depression in teens, it is time to take some action. To confirm they are depressed, first talk to your teenager. At first, the teen will claim they are not depressed. Here is where you encourage your child not to feel ashamed of what they are feeling. If you provide the teen with a safe space to talk, they will likely open up. When they do, ensure you are not dismissive or judgmental because they may shut down.

Next, you can ask them to use certain coping tools to improve their mood. You can encourage your teen to exercise, get enough sleep, spend time with friends, do breathing exercises or do hobbies they love. Your teenager may not have the motivation to do any of these, but when you join them, they will participate. As you do these activities together, you also get to bond with them.

As a parent, you can also do so much to reduce your teenager’s depressive symptoms. If the coping tools do not work, you can take them to a mental health professional. The specialist will get into the root cause of the child’s depression. They will counsel them and offer drugs whenever necessary.