NIGhtmAReS vS. SleeP teRRoRS cAR SeAt SAfety SPoRtS ...

HealtH & Safety
DepreSSioN TreaTMeNT
opTioNS for chilDreN
May raNGe froM
SupporTive TreaTMeNT
To Specific TherapieS
or aNTiDepreSSaNTS.
Treating Depression in children
A
recent study reported that
youth suicide rates in the
United States and the
Netherlands increased after
a decline in the number
of prescriptions written
for antidepressants. This report and other
depression-related information in the news
may have parents confused about treatment
options for their child.
While there is no one answer to treating
depression in children, individualized assessment
and care can lead to effective results.
When a child is showing signs of depression
and/or suicidal thinking, an assessment by a
6
Children’s Medical Center
qualified primary care physician or mental
health professional should be a family’s first
concern, says Dr. Graham Emslie, chief of
psychiatry at Children’s Medical Center and
chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at
UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Following a professional assessment and
correct diagnosis of depression, the recommended
treatment options for the child may
range from supportive treatment to specific
therapies or antidepressants.
The choice to use antidepressant medications
to treat children and adolescents will
then be an individual decision based on a
collaborative discussion among the healthcare
professional, family and patient.
proper assessment
“The risk of not treating your child for depression
is great,” Dr. Emslie says. “If there is
a risk from these medications, it would be
small. Adequate assessment and monitoring
of their medication and mood is crucial.”
Dr. Emslie pioneered the treatment of
depressed children and adolescents with the
drug fluoxetine — the only drug approved by
the FDA for that use — although physicians
may prescribe other antidepressants in children
and adolescents.
The use of antidepressants should be
closely monitored since a child’s depressive
symptoms can worsen even with medication.
However, the most recent medical literature
finds that the benefits of using antidepressants
appear to be much greater than the risks from
suicidal thinking and self-harming behaviors.
There are no simple formulas for the treatment
of depression, Dr. Emslie says. “But with
proper assessment and treatment, children
with depression can be helped.” n
To learn more about the pediatric psychiatry department or to schedule an appointment,
call 214-456-5900 or go to www.childrens.com.
model used for illustrative purposes only.
Graham emslie, Ph.D.
chief of psychiatry,
children’s Medical center
aNtidepressaNts CaN Be effeCtive, BUt iNdividUalized
Care is Needed for yoUNg patieNts