Tag Archives: antidepressants

More questions about the effectiveness of antidepressants in kids…

Posted on June 10, 2016 by

The professional community, parents and families hold assumptions about the effectiveness of psychotropic medication, especially medication for depression, that are unrealistic based upon our understanding of the research literature. Continue reading →

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My Weekly Reader…September 12, 2014

Posted on September 12, 2014 by

Each Friday, I’ll summarize articles and resources of special interest from my perspective as a physician serving kids and families impacted by mental illness, trauma and developmental disabilities who also inhabits the world of disability ministry. Continue reading →

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What Perry Noble’s admission says about mental illness, stigma and church

Posted on February 28, 2014 by

What’s fascinating (from a psychiatrist’s perspective) about Perry’s experiences is the progression he went through over a period of years in his attitudes regarding mental illness and what they may have to say about levels of stigma in the church related to mental health treatment. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

If this were your kid, would you give them an antidepressant?

Posted on February 17, 2013 by

First, I’d point out that the potential benefits of medication appear to outweigh the potential risks, especially for kids with anxiety, but in my experience the risk of an increase in suicidal thoughts/behavior associated with antidepressant medication appears to be greater than zero. In fact, if I had to guess, the risk may be a little higher than what the data has led us to believe up to now. Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Hot Topics: Are Antidepressant Medications Safe For Kids?

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

Few topics in child and adolescent mental health have generated as much controversy over the last decade as the debate about the safety of antidepressant medication given to kids. In 2004, the FDA issued a “black box” warning claiming that antidepressant use in children and teenagers is associated with increases in suicidal thinking and behavior, which was expanded in 2007 to include adults between the ages of 18 and 24. In my opinion, the larger controversy about antidepressant use in children and teens is not “are they safe?” but “do they work?” and if they work, what do they work for? Some of those questions were addressed here.
Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Do Antidepressants Work?

Posted on February 26, 2012 by

The professional community, parents and families hold assumptions about the effectiveness of psychotropic medication, especially medication for depression, that are unrealistic based upon our understanding of the research literature.

It’s very possible (I’d argue it’s very likely) that adults and children who respond positively to antidepressants do so not because they’re experiencing a placebo response, but because we’re treating anxiety symptoms that frequently predispose, precipitate and perpetuate feelings of depression.
Continue reading →

Posted in Controversies, Depression, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments