Controversial Antidepressant Use

New research suggests that the increasingly popular antidepressant use among children and adolescents could perhaps be causing more harm than good. Antidepressant medications such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft have not even been officially approved for use among children and adolescents therefore constituting grave concern among parents and scientists.

In the BBC news article it mentions that drugs shouldn't be dished out like candy to children and adolescents and especially those who do not have psychological therapy in addition to the medication. (..."The NHS drug watchdog said young people should first be offered a course of psychological therapy lasting for at least three months." (BCCnews) In the United Kingdom the use of anti depressants was made illegal for those under eighteen because of the recent studies that have shown an increase risk of suicide among children taking the drug.

The brain of a child is still developing therefore making it more vulnerable to medications that affect neurotransmitters and serotonin levels. There has been very little research done on how antidepressants affect the developing brain of a child. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has found the use of antidepressants among children and adolescents more likely to result in an increased risk of self-harm and suicide. The NICE organization has ruled that cognitive therapy is found to be the most vital in treating depression and psychiatric disorders among adolescents and children and unfortunately in recent years cognitive therapy has become secondary to powerful medications like antidepressants.

(Story from BBC news, September 28, 2005)

In studies pertaining to suicidal behavior among children and adolescents the definition of suicidal behavior itself varied tremendously in research studies. A child who slapped herself in one study was considered suicidal where in another study a child who stabbed himself in the neck with a pencil after becoming angry about his grades and performance in school was merely considered an accident. (Rosack, 2004, Page 236. Paragraph 5. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session)

As the brain develops there are periods of time in a child or adolescents life that may make them more susceptible to emotional distress and psychiatric illness. Children often act out to show their emotion for example, instead of a child telling a friend they are mad at them for stealing their favorite toy, they may push them or insult them. In adolescence large growth spurts and puberty may make the adolescent more vulnerable to criticism because they feel awkward and wish to fit in. It's important for parents and professionals a like to understand how children and adolescents communicate and express their emotions differently than adults.

The use of antidepressants among children could make them more vulnerable to certain side effects of the medication which can include insomnia, irritability, muscle pain, dizziness and nightmares. A child who is experiencing any of those side effects may react more impulsively and most likely not understand the feeling because their brain is still in important developmental stages.

Although the use of antidepressants is common among children and adolescents, the medications have not been officially approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression among the youth.

(Efficacy of Antidepressant Medication With Depressed Youth: What Psychologists Should Know, Sommers-Flanagan John, Sommers-Flanagan, Rita, University of Montana, Page 2, Paragraph 5)

In research studies that have been conducted with children and antidepressants their susceptibility to being influenced by a placebo and environmental surroundings is drastically greater when compared with the adult research studies.

Children react differently than adults when they are put into certain environments that make them uncomfortable. They often will tantrum or break things because they lack the judgment to do otherwise at their stage of brain development. Which isn't to say it's acceptable to let a child break and destroy things but every once in a while it should be considered healthy.

Antidepressants are so widely available that parents themselves can misinterpret their child's behavior as being explosive or depressed when in reality the child is more likely to just be at a certain stage of development that makes the child is more vulnerable to environmental and social triggers. Parents can naively misinterpret their child's behavior and seek psychiatric treatments that often can result in misdiagnosis. Although it is often terrifying for a parent to see their child struggling they must still do their research when seeking help for their child. It's best for parents to always ask questions about treatment and be aware of all options available to avoid having themselves or their child misunderstood.

Often with children and adolescents it's important for the parent to make an effort to connect with them as much as possible. While developing a child's sense of security with themselves and their surroundings plays a significant role in their behavior and emotional wellbeing. Although maintaining a strong connection with an adolescent can sometimes prove itself to be challenging, merely keeping your ears open while remaining patient and understanding can have a positive outcome

Children often show and express symptoms of depression differently than adults and its common for children to lash out and misbehave rather than seek communication with adults. Children can also misbehave and not be experiencing depression at all. A child's lack of maturity and ability to properly express and understand specific emotions can make it significantly more difficult to make a correct diagnosis of psychiatric illness. Many providers of medications do so without the proper knowledge and very often medication alone isn't going to alleviate a psychiatric condition. Cognitive and behavioral therapy is found to be crucial to improving depression successfully as it allows the individual to gain understanding of their emotions and behavior. The gaining of self awareness and understanding cannot usually be found in a pill and it shouldn't be expected to. (Robinson, B. Pills vs.Talking. The Children's Challenge. June, 2004 ABC News.)

The use of antidepressants effects the serotonin levels in the brain and if the brain is still in crucial stages of development, like that of a child it is more likely that there will be negative effects that may not appear immediately but instead over time as the child grows into an adult. Antidepressant medication has only recently become widely used among both children and adults and therefore its impossible to predict the potential negative outcomes that may occur several years afterward. (...administering antidepressant medications to depressed children should be considered an experimental treatment procedure." (Flanagan, pg 6)

Children and Adolescents are significantly more sensitive to changes in their social life, home environment, and school environment and often it leaves them feeling stressed out. Parents, educators, and psychologists should be informed and aware of the many opportunities available to help children and adolescents cope with stress and it's important that humanity itself understand our youth and that we remember our own, instead of just quickly prescribing a potentially harmful pill.

References

BBCNEWS, (September 28, 2006). Anti-depressants 'not for young'

Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session. (February 2006)

Do SSRI's Cause Suicide in Children? Lessons Learned. Reassuring Evidence.

Hammad TA, Laughren T, Racoosin J.

Suicidality in pediatric patients treated with antidepressant drugs.

Arch Gen Psychiatry (2006)

The Journal of Family Practice: VOL 55 NO 6

Sommers-Flanagan, J, University of Montana

Sommers-Flanagan, R, University of Montana

(April,1996) Efficacy of Antidepressant Medication With Depressed Youth: What Psychologists Should Know

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Vol. 27

American Psychological Association

Robinson, B. June, 2004. Pills vs. Talking when it comes to mental illness, parents face dilemmas over medication, talk therapy. ABC News