Best evidence suggests antidepressants aren’t very effective in kids and teens. What can be done ins
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Best evidence suggests antidepressants aren’t very effective in kids and teens. What can be done instead?
Sarah Hetrick, University of Auckland; Joanne McKenzie, Monash University; Nick Meader, University of York, and Sally Merry, University of Auckland
Even before COVID-19 lockdowns, school closures and strict social distancing, depression was on the rise in children and teenagers around the globe.
By the age of 19, around 25% of adolescents are estimated to have experienced a depressive episode. By the age of 30, this figure grows to 53%.
A number of studies point to an increasing use of antidepressants in young people.
So, what do we now know about how well antidepressants work in children and young people?
Our new Cochrane review, published today, found that on average, antidepressants led to only small improvements in depression symptoms compared with placebo in children and adolescents (ranging in age from six to 18 years old).
Antidepressants shouldn’t be the f...
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