Give your child antidepressants: Should or not?

Currently, some parents give their children antidepressants when they show signs of psychological illness. Antidepressants are often very effective at helping children improve their mood. However, parents should be careful when giving their children antidepressants because it has many side effects.

Antidepressants can be a reasonable choice for parents when their children are anxious and sad for a long time. However, giving your child antidepressants can do more harm than good, so be careful.

Side effects of antidepressants

One of the most conspicuous and serious side effects of drugs in people under 25 years of age is the cause or trigger of suicidal thoughts and suicidal behavior. Although this side effect is less common in children and adolescents, it is also very dangerous, so the US Food and Drug Administration  (FDA) has printed a warning on the antidepressant pack.

The benefits of the drug outweigh the side effects because it is very effective at improving mood and reducing anxiety. However, you should also give your child a moderate dose and only use it when the child has severe depressive symptoms.

Expression that the child has thoughts of suicide

Suicidal symptoms in children can be very conspicuous. Watch for the following signs when your child starts taking an antidepressant or changes the dose:

Children are clearly sadder

Children panic

Children talk about suicide

Children become more anxious or anxious than before

Children are anxious and excitable

Children fight at school or with friends and siblings

Children isolate themselves

Children hurt themselves

Children often fidgety walking and muttering

Children become violent, aggressive or mean.

You need to consult a doctor immediately if you notice the above signs in your child.

What to do when a child is depressed?

Before your child starts taking antidepressants, it's a good idea to have your child have a physical exam to eliminate any physical problems that can cause depression or anxiety. If your child does not have any physical illness, you should see a doctor specializing in child psychology. The doctor will examine important information such as the child's family history, behavior and the reasons for the child's self-harm. After examining the above problems, your doctor will work out the most appropriate treatment for your child and decide if your child should take antidepressants or not.

Antidepressants safe for children

The US Food and Drug Administration has certified the following two drugs as safe for children:

Prozac (fluoxetin) : for children 8 years and older

Lexapro (escitalopram): for children 12 years and older

Medicines such as Zoloft (sertraline), Luvox (fluvoxamine) and Anafranil (clomipramine) have also been shown to be safe to treat obsessive-compulsive disorders in children.

Your doctor will probably prescribe some drugs that are not on the above list if your child is an adult and if they are safe and effective. Read the instructions that come with the medication very carefully to understand the side effects and risks of taking it.

Note when starting to give your child antidepressants

If your doctor prescribes an antidepressant, your child will take the lightest dose and increase the dose gradually if it doesn't work. Suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviors are most common during the first few months of medication administration or when the dose is changed. Pay close attention to your baby during this time.

Overall, antidepressants are quite safe and effective for children and teenagers, but you still need to be careful when giving your child antidepressants. You should also combine psychotherapy to help your child quickly overcome the illness and live a happy and happy life.