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Children And Antidepressants
Many psychiatric drugs have not been satisfactorily tested in paediatric patients, and some drug combinations occasionally prescribed for children - particularly stimulants and antidepressants - have not been fully tested even in adults. So, we don't know for sure the risks or the benefits of these medications.
Children's bodies do not absorb drugs and eliminate toxins similarly as adult bodies, and their brains may get affected also. Depression and other conditions for which the drugs are prescribed may have long-lasting deadly effects on the psychological and social development of a kid.
Children with depression are more likely to have other health problems and engage in risky behaviour, such as promiscuity, smoking, drugs and alcohol. Risks of medicating and the risks of not medicating are greatest in the early years of life.
The thumb rule is caution in prescribing antidepressants to children. They should be neither a first nor a last resort. If given, anti-depressants should not be stopped abruptly, because it may lead to a withdrawal syndrome that includes dizziness, nausea, seizures and anxiety.
Side effects of anti-depressants:
Children can continue to take the drug if it seems to be helping, but they should be watched closely for side effects.
The side effects vary depending on the drug, but can include:
- Insomnia
- Sleepiness
- Increased anxiety
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrohea
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Weight gain or loss
Beware! Anti depressants can trigger off suicidal behaviour!
Signs that a child is at risk of suicidal behaviour while taking an antidepressant
The highest risk of suicidal thinking occurs during the first few months of treatment or when a medication dosage is increased or decreased.
Possible signs of worsening depression include:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Insomnia or other sleeping problems
- Hostility
- Unexplained declines in academic performance
- Withdrawing from relationships
- Spending more time alone
Suicide due to depression is the third leading cause of death among children between ages 10 to 19.
If your child is on anti-depressants, when should he discontinue?
This decision should be made on an individual basis with advise from doctor. Suddenly stopping medication can leave them without appropriate treatment and increases the risk of withdrawal-like symptoms. A doctor can help your child taper off medication to minimize withdrawal.
What is the alternative to antidepressant?
Warnings on anti-depressants don't prohibit their use in children, nor are they meant to frighten people away from treating their children.
But if you're not comfortable with antidepressants, counselling is an option. However, counselling (individual as well as family) alone may not be sufficient to effectively treat depression, especially in more severe cases. A combination of medication and psychotherapy offers the best treatment approach for youngsters down with depression.
Do you know?
Currently, Prozac (fluoxetine) is the only approved medicine to treat major depression in children and adolescents, while Prozac, Zoloft and Anafranil are approved for obsessive-compulsive disorder in paediatric patients. No other antidepressant drug is FDA approved for treatment of any psychiatric condition in children.