Questions your doctor may ask before prescribing medicine for depression in children and teens

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Questions your doctor may ask before prescribing medicine for depression in children and teens

Antidepressant medicines often work well, but they do have some risks and side effects. Their use may increase the risk of suicide, especially in the first few weeks of use. If your child starts antidepressants, be sure to be aware of this risk and get help if you see any of the warning signs.

Before prescribing medicine, your doctor will check your child for possible suicidal thoughts by asking a few questions. Some of the questions your doctor may ask your child include:

Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy?
Have you had any change in how well or when you sleep?
Have you been feeling down, depressed, or hopeless much of the time?
Have you had any thoughts about hurting yourself?
Have you ever felt so bad that you wished you were dead?
Have you ever tried to kill yourself?

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Author	Lila Havens
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Michele Cronen
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Gisele Ferguson, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry, Child and Youth Psychiatry
Last Updated	April 25, 2007

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Last updated:	April 25, 2007
Author:	Lila Havens
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Gisele Ferguson, MD, FRCPC - Psychiatry, Child and Youth Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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