Adolescent Depression Article Review

Perspectives on the Efficacy of Antidepressants for Child and Adolescent Depression.
Amir Raz's, "Persceptives on the Efficacy of Antidepressants for Child and Adolescent Depression" is a helpful debating resource. Raz questions the efficacy of using antidepressants for adolescent depression. Do the drugs really work? I feel it's important to demand further research in order to support and continue using antidepressants. However, I feel that until alternative options are introduced, antidepressants are the best method in treating depression.

a.) Raz states, "...patients and physicians should demand stronger evidence for the efficacy of antidepressants..." (Raz, p.39). He feels it's important to continue research and further investigations regarding antidepressant use. Do the risk factors and side-effects outweigh the outcome?
b.) "Some advocates assert that rather than using medication with side effects and low effectiveness, children should be offered interventions that produce therapeutic effects on depression without the medical side effects and associate risks." (Raz, p.39).
c.) Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other health professionals share their concerns towards antidepressant use but continue to support and prescribe them to their patients.

Raz does not give adequate facts, only personal opinions, as to whether or not antidepressants are effective. He feels alternatives should be found in order to rid of medications, but does not present solid facts as to why. He only questions and doubts the outcome of treating depression with medication. I agree it's important to find safer alternatives and also research the end result of treating children. Raz's rhetorical devices in persuading his audience to agree medication is not the appropriate choice, is not valid.

Depression--Promising Treatment Approaches.
Jonathan McGookin's, "Depression--Promising Treatment Approaches," posted in Positive Health is a great resource. The concept and theory is similar to many other articles. Today's society depends on antidepressants in treating adolescent depression. But what other options can health professionals offer? What other options do parents and their children have? I agree that alternative options should be established, but medication is the best method.

a.) "Now to the question of what treatments get good results with depression?" (McGookin, p. 11). This question raises a lot of thought. What treatments really do get the best results?
b.) The combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy may be the most effective option and give the best results. Adolescents tend to respond best with the combination of these treatment methods, rather than just one or the other.
c.) "The cognitive aspect of CBT helps a person recognize the automatic thoughts or core beliefs that contribute to negative emotions." (McGookin, p. 11).

McGookin gives mostly factually based information rather than using rhetorical devices to persuade audiences. He gives raw examples and facts. He is very descriptive and does not allow any personal opinions to enter the article. I feel that McGookin should have given further examples and numbers to support his article. The sources provided seem credible, but do not allow a reader to take a position appropriately. I stick with my position that alternatives should be found and also feel medication is not best for every child suffering with depression.

References
McGookin, Jonathan. (November, 2005). Depression--Promising Treatment Approaches. Positive Health. (Issue 117, p.9-12).
Raz, Amir. (January, 2006). Perspectives on the Efficacy of Antidepressants for Child and Adolescent Depression. PLoS Medicine. (Vol. 3, p.35-41).