Are antidepressants for children safe for their mental health?

Children and adolescents are like adults who can experience psychological disorders, including depression. However, the use of antidepressant drugs for children requires special supervision.

Given the possible side effects, not a few medical personnel oppose the provision of antidepressant drugs for children.

So, should cases of psychological disorders in children be handled with antidepressants?

Do this before giving antidepressant drugs to children

Antidepressant drugs are not the first line of treatment for psychological disorders. In fact, the first step you need to take if your child experiences this condition is to dig deeper into the factors that cause it.

If the physical exam doesn't show any problems, take your child for a psychiatric exam with a psychiatrist or psychologist.

This examination is useful for understanding the child's behavior, family history, and risks in the future.

Once the subtleties of the child's psychological problems have been fully understood, the new doctor will recommend the necessary treatment measures.

Treatment options for children can be therapy, taking antidepressants, or both.

Why are antidepressant drugs for children reaping the cons?

Various studies have been conducted to determine the effect of antidepressant drugs on children.

One study shows that certain antidepressant drugs can actually trigger suicidal ideation and behavior in some children and adolescents.

The reason is, antidepressant drugs are also at risk of triggering anxiety, emotional outbursts, anxiety, hostility, and impulsive behavior in some children.

This is what is feared will trigger suicidal ideation in children who take antidepressant drugs.

However, all the risks of side effects do not necessarily make antidepressant drugs dangerous for children.

The benefits that children get from taking antidepressant drugs actually outweigh the risks when used appropriately.

Anti-depressant medications are an effective way to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and other psychological problems.

Even children can take this drug as long as its use is carefully supervised.

Antidepressant drugs that are safe for children

National Institute of Mental Health states that fluoxetine is a type of antidepressant drug that is absolutely safe to be given to children aged 8 years and over.

However, the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, in the United States has approved several other types of antidepressant drugs that are safe to administer to children and adolescents.

These drugs include:

• Clomipramine, for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children 10 years and older
• Fluvozamine, for OCD in children 8 years of age and older
• Escitalopram, for major depressive disorder in children 12 years of age and over
• Duloxetine, for generalized anxiety disorder in children aged 7 years and over
• Combination olanzapine and fluoxetine, for bipolar disorder in children 10 years and over

All types of drugs should only be consumed as directed by a medical professional. The recommended dose and maximum dose will be adjusted based on the child's age.

Several types of antidepressant drugs are basically safe for children as long as they are consumed appropriately.

Parents should also monitor drug use, especially the first few months when behavior change is at its peak.

Don't forget to check your child's condition regularly while taking antidepressant drugs. Say everything about the development of the child's condition to understand whether the treatment is working.

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