Risk Factors: Teenagers and Antidepressants

Antidepressants do not always work for teenagers although, some have positive effects. When a teenager is taking antidepressants there are many things that may happen, some may leave them worse off then they were before taking any medication. If your teenager is taking antidepressants you must pay close attention and observe the effects these medications may cause.

There are red flags to watch out for when your teenager is taking antidepressants, some more serious than others. If you ignore these red flags you will do more damage to your teenager than the depression itself is doing.

One red flag is if your teenager starts having other unusual changes in behavior, this is not normal. If your teenager starts acting on dangerous impulses, having frequent anxiety attacks, acting more aggressive, angry, violent, experiencing worse irritability, insomnia, feeling restless, worse depression, panic attacks, being extremely hyperactive, more thoughts of suicide, or attempts at suicide. These are red flags that need to be brought to your teenagers doctor immediately. These are signs that your teenager is not on the right antidepressants for his or her depression.

Finding the right antidepressants can take time, it is not unusual for a teenager to be switched from one medication to another. There is no guarantee on how these medications will work until your teenager starts using them and then time will tell if it is the right or wrong medication.

The most serious risk factor in taking antidepressants is suicide. The risk is high although, it is high if untreated as well. This is why it is so important to be involved with your teenager and keeping a close eye on them. Keeping a list in the changes your teenager is going through is crucial. Reporting these changes to your teenagers doctor is important. Do not let any of these changes become unnoticed or excused. This could depend on your teenagers outcome. Do not feel like you are bothering the doctor or over exaggerating if you have to call the doctor every day. You must do what ever it takes to protect your child.

Once your teenager starts taking antidepressants or changes a dose on their antidepressant they will need to be watch carefully. They must see their doctor once a week for the first four weeks. After that every two weeks for the next month and at the end of the twelfth week of taking the medication. If problems or questions arise you should see the doctor more frequent.

Sources:

HelpGuide: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm