what anti-depressants should a 15 year old take?

Question

if he isnt sleeping or eating. because of family problems and a breakup with his first real girlfriend. its been going on for about a week now.

Answer 1

Think back to what it's like being a young teen - life is a flippin' mess! More heartbreak than ever. So many new things going on! OMG, he doesn't need meds, take his butt out and show him some good times. Take him to get some CDs, take him to go to a skate park, to the beach and let him boogie board, stuff like that to get his mind off of problems. He just needs to be reminded that there's a whole world of fun out there. Young teens get wrapped up in the moment and can't see beyond the immediate moment. I remember being upset for weeks over trivial stuff that was soooo big at the time. He'll get over it. Don't over pressure him, he'll work it out. Just be sure to let him know you love him and treat him to somewhere fun so he gets his mind off of issues. Let him invite some good friends so they can laugh.
Jeeze, no meds please.
If you're still worried in a month, contact a counselor.

Answer 2

Only a doctor can truely diagnosis if this is depression or not. You need to take your child to the doc for a proper diagnosis and then if the doc feels medication is appropriate the doctor will prescribe what he feels might work best. If it truely is depression it may take a while to find a medicne that works the best and what dosage helps the best. These are things only a doctor can help you with so call now and get the appointment set up.

Answer 3

I think the article you read was referring to the increase in suicides among teens treated with certain anti-depressants. One study found that teens and younger children who took Prozac were at increased risk of suicide. Prozac is only one drug in one class of anti-depressants. Prozac is brand name for fluoxetine, which is one of the Selective Serotinin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). Drugs like Celexa, Zoloft, and Luvox are all SSRI class anti-depressants. Another class of anti-depressants is called Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI). The drugs in this group include Effexor and Cymbalta. One of the oldest classes of anti-depressants is called Tricyclic Anti-depressants, and they include Elavil and Sinequan. There are plenty of other classes of anti-depressants, but mostly the SSRIs and SRNIs are used today. Virtually every drug used to treat depression has been connected to teen suicide in one way or another. The biggest problem with the research into teen suicide and anti-depressants is very much like the old "which came first - the chicken or the egg?" question. Do teens who commit or attempt suicide do so because of the drugs they are taking to treat the depression, or because of the depression? Antidepressant drugs must be adjusted for dosage (too little and they don't work - too much and the side-effects can be unbearable). One drug or class of drug may not work for one individual, but work exceptionally well in another. Teens often do not talk readily about their feelings, so they may not communicate effectively with their doctor, who may not know that the medication or dosage prescribed is not working. Evidence may suggest that teens being treated for depression commit suicide as a result of the medication, but it is also possible the medication is not helping them, or not enough at least. The teen years are terribly difficult at best, and teen suicide is frighteningly common. There are some mental health professionals who are 100% convinced the drugs are at fault. Others suspect that a teen who commits or attempts suicide while being treated was suicidal to begin with, and the medication did not impact on the choice to act. Any medication used to treat mental health issues should be used under close supervision, whether prescribed for teens or anyone else. Unfortunately, too often patients walk out of a doctor's office with a prescription for anti-depressants and that is the last the doctor hears from them. The bottom line is that some professionals think teens should not be prescribed anti-depressants so they will not attempt or commit suicide. There is some evidence that makes the connection much less clear.

Answer 4

a week is not long enough to be putting a 15 year old on medication, try a counselor first, medication is the last resort, but it should still be used only along with counseling

Answer 5

OMG. NO antidepressants!!! Are you kidding me??? Just because he's upset doesn't mean you put him on drugs. Let him work through it. Cripes, it's only been a week. Let the boy be. He'll be fine. The only thing you could do for him is get him some counseling. NO MEDICATIONS!

Answer 6

Counsellors first followed by a Social worker (their not all bad) coupled with your general practitioner pills are a last resort.

Answer 7

Do not even think about going there. You have no idea what psychiatric drugs can do to your mind. They have given me my life back, but I was in a very, very bad place.

Answer 8

the best medication would be a new girl friend then he will forget about it & be back to normal.

Answer 9

talk with your doctor, if his problems become worse a doctor will probably give him something mild.

Answer 10

none. physician prescription only. problems are to solve them not to escape. let him feel. how else would he learn?