Juvenile depression is a mood disorder where the child has persistent sadness and loss of interest and feels discouraged. Medication is prescribed when the symptoms of depression are severe and impact the child's ability to function normally.
Diagnosis
Before medication is prescribed, the child's psychiatrist will need to evaluate the severity of the symptoms. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that the psychiatrist will look for coexisting symptoms of schizophrenia, anxiety and mania, which would change the medication.
First Choice for Medication
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first medication choice for juvenile depression, with fluoxetine approved for children 8 years and older. Other SSRIs, like escitalopram, are prescribed off-label for juveniles (meaning it does not have Food and Drug Administration approval for such use).
Additional Choice for Medication
The NIMH mentions that venlafaxine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), is another medication option for juvenile depression; however, this medication is also prescribed off-label.
Not Recommended Medication
The NIH states that tricyclic antidepressants, like nortriptyline, are not recommended for teenagers with depression, though it has been prescribed off-label.
FDA Warning
The FDA warns that children have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts when using antidepressants and should be monitored when using these medications.
