When used properly and with other forms of treatment, antidepressants such as Prozac can be very effective in treating depression and similar mood disorders in adults and adolescents. This effectiveness partially extends to children, as well, though there are some special considerations that need to be kept in mind. Antidepressants of any variety carry the possibility of causing side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, but these effects are strongly believed to be more apparent among children. Most antidepressants actually have strong warnings on their labels indicating possible links to dangerous behavior in children, adolescents, and those within the 18 to 24 age range.
It is understandable for parents to be alarmed by the thought of suicide warnings appearing on medication they are giving their children. It is true that antidepressants like Prozac and Wellbutrin can cause a child to develop suicidal thoughts, but this is not at all unusual, as these medications are also known for having the same effect on adults. In this particular case, rather than panicking about the warnings, parents should be making an effort to be better informed about signs of trouble, and the options they might have other than antidepressant medication if they’re really that worried. The better informed they are, the better the decisions they will make concerning the mental well-being of their child.
The Food and Drug Administration has found that antidepressants can cause suicidal thinking and behavior in children and adults, with the chances of such things manifesting being at an estimated 4%. This is in comparison to a lower 2% present in children who only took a placebo during the clinical trials, though it should be noted that no child in either group actually took his own life. Despite that, it is understandable if parents find this data to be disturbing, and manufacturers are required to label their medications with warnings appropriate to the effects. The FDA has also issued recommendations that people in susceptible age groups be closely observed by their medical care providers and family members while taking the medication.
Some parents might be tempted to not have their children be treated with Prozac or similar drugs because of these warnings. This is not a medically sound decision to make, as the warnings are meant only to caution parents about what might happen when taking them, rather than what will happen. It is worth noting that, if left untreated, depression can cause much more damage than an antidepressant would.
Source: http://www.ArticlePros.com/author.php?Mark Walters
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