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Resources to Help Kids Thrive Newsletter

Medication for Kids With Depression

A weekly update of content from childmind.org featuring parenting advice, in-depth articles, and the latest thinking on children’s mental health and learning disorders.

August 2, 2022

We’re seeing a disturbing rise in the number of depressed teenagers. One reason is that kids often develop depression as a result of their struggles with other challenges, especially anxiety and ADHD. And the frustrations and difficulties of the last couple of years have plunged a lot of teenagers who were just getting by into serious distress. As Sarper Taskiran, MD, a psychiatrist at the Child Mind Institute puts it, “Covid really did a number on these kids.”

That’s why we’re taking a close look this week at treatment for depression. In a new article, Dr. Taskiran walks us through how treatment with antidepressant medication works for children and teenagers, including why it sometimes takes several tries to find the right antidepressant, how long kids should keep taking it, and what should happen when it’s time to stop. We also look at types of therapy that are effective for depression — alone or in combination with medication — and we offer tips for working well with your child’s clinician.

Related Resources

Medication for Kids With Depression

What parents should know about SSRIs and other antidepressants.

Medication

Therapy for Kids With Depression

Types of therapy that have been shown to work for depression in children and teenagers.

Therapy

What to Do if You Think Your Teenager Is Depressed

Start by listening without judgment, not trying to 'fix' them.

What

How to Work Well With Your Child’s Therapist

A good relationship with the mental health professional treating your child is key to a successful outcome.

How

How to Help Kids Who Are Too Hard on Themselves

Bolstering self-critical children who tend to talk themselves down.

How

How to Change Negative Thinking Patterns

Recognizing unhealthy thinking errors called cognitive distortions.

How