Medication for Teen Depression

Almost every antidepressant comes with a warning label saying that antidepressants may worsen depression and suicidal thoughts when given to adolescents. With concerns like this, questions about the best antidepressants for teenagers are certainly appropriate.

Psychiatry

• Only your teen's psychiatrist is qualified to choose the most effective medication. He/she will give special attention to the symptoms, family history, and drug interactions that will determine whether the medication is effective.

SSRI's

• Generally, teenagers are first prescribed an antidepressant from the family known as SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Drugs in this category, which include Prozac, Lexapro, Celexa, and Zoloft, work to increase the use of Serotonin in the brain.

SSRI Alternatives

• If SSRI's prove to be unhelpful, the doctor may prescribe Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Effexor, or another similar medication. These work to improve the brain's use of both Serotonin and Norepinephrine.

MAOI's and Mood Stabilizers

• Less frequently, a psychiatrist may prescribe MAOI's, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotic medication, but these can produce adverse side effects and are rarely prescribed without trying several alternatives first.

Counseling

• No matter what type of antidepressants your teenager is given, many studies have proven that teens tend to respond especially well when they receive counseling or "talk therapy" alongside medical treatment. The combination of these two will likely be the most effective way to address this difficult illness.