This article will help you discern whether or not antidepressants are right for your child.
A psychiatric evaluation is usually done by someone with experience evaluating children for mental illness.
This may have to be adjusted if it’s not helping your child’s symptoms.
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Your mental health professional will also want to monitor your child fairly closely as well.
No other antidepressants have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents.
However, your child’s doctor may prescribe other antidepressant medications that are approved for use in adults.
This is referred to as off-label use and it is fairly common practice.
This is why it is important to weigh the pros and cons of antidepressants.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If your child has mild depression, psychotherapy may be all they need to help their symptoms improve.
If you have concerns and questions, be sure to discuss them with a mental health professional.
Published February 16, 2019.
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