The number of doctor visits made by depressed kids ages 7 to 17 has more than doubled in past decade, finds research from Stanford University. Unfortunately, the number of kids who ended up getting pills instead of talk therapy as the first-choice treatment also grew.
When researchers analyzed the records of more than 1,000 docs nationwide, they found that referrals to psychotherapy for depression in kids declined by 18%, while prescriptions for antidepressants nearly tripled. Physicians may be overusing antidepressants, says study author Jun Ma, MD, PhD. Her advice to parents:
Look for symptoms If your kid shows excessive sleeping, a dip in school performance, or loss of interest in friends or hobbies for more than 2 weeks, consult your pediatrician.
Get treatment The initial prescription should be talk therapy. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe an antidepressant along with counseling.
Follow up If the treatment isn't working, ask about trying another antidepressant under close supervision. (Currently, fluoxetine Prozac is the only drug approved for children.)
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