If Medication is Recommended

If you are considering starting your child on one of the antidepressant medications, then you should have a full discussion with your child's physician of the possible benefits as well as the possible risks (including increased suicidal behavior.

If your child has recently started one of these medications or is about to start, then you and your child's physician will need to closely monitor him/her for any changes in behavior.  In most cases, the increased risk of suicidal behavior occurs during the first 4-6 weeks of treatment.

What should you do as a parent?

•  Be clear and honest when talking with your child about the possible risks and benefits of taking an antidepressant medication.

•  Talk to your child or adolescent about whether they are having any suicidal thoughts, and let them know they should come to you immediately if they start having suicidal thoughts or any other troubling symptoms while they are taking antidepressant medication.

•  Working with your child and your child's physician, you should develop a “safety/crisis plan” for your child. This can include identifying an adult your child can call if he/she is thinking about suicide.

•  You and your child's physician should closely monitor your child - especially during the first months of treatment. Any child or adolescent starting an antidepressant medication should be followed weekly (in person or by telephone) for the first month, every other week (preferably in person) for the second month, and at least once a month (in person) thereafter by the treating physician to check for the severity of depressive symptoms, suicidal behavior and any other problems.

•  It is important that you do not suddenly stop or change the dose of your child's antidepressant medication without first talking to your child's physician.

REMEMBER: Only you, your child and your physician can look at all the specific information and make an informed and appropriate decision about using an antidepressant medication