Anti-Depressants

Many kids feel swamped by their everyday pressures and expectations, and the resulting stress can manifest itself in a number of mental conditions that may require professional attention. Whether the pressure is from school, parents or peers, sometimes it’s too much for them to handle. “It’s like everything’s all on your shoulders and you have to take everything at once,” says Meredith, age 14.

Once limited to the treatment of adults, anti-depressants are now being used to treat depression and other mental illnesses in children and teens. Some experts are questioning the practice, and wondering if drugs are the easy alternative to the more involved process of therapy. Experts say, “(We) are having to learn on the fly, and every child is a new experiment.”

In recent studies two-thirds of family physicians say they’ve prescribed drugs for mild to moderate childhood depression. In those cases, therapy is probably the better choice. In any case, experts say get a second opinion and be wary of any doctor who is quick to prescribe a drug. It is also wise to make sure that any child on prescription drugs be monitored closely and also undergo counseling.

 What Parents Should Know

Determining a mental illness in a child is more difficult than detecting a physical problem. Because it is unlikely that a child will articulate that something is wrong, parents should be aware of noticeable changes. Some of the warning signs include:

• Poor performance in school
• Unexplained fears
• Sleep problems -- too much, or lack of
• Loss of interest in activities and people previously enjoyed
• Obsession about or lack of interest in appearance and weight

Depressed children are often more “literal” than adults. Instead of becoming reclusive as adults do, a child may become aggressive, irritable, or verbally abusive.

Three of the most common brain disorders in children and adolescents are:

• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Major depression (a mood disorder)
• Anxiety disorders

One out of 10 youth suffer from some type of anxiety disorder.