Prescriptions for antidepressant medications for children and teenagers rose substantially during the 1990s.

Even though more and more children and teens are being treated with antidepressants, the evidence supporting the use of the newest class of antidepressants in children younger than 15 is "meager. More research is needed to examine the safety and effectiveness of these medications in children.

The researchers grouped antidepressants into three classes: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which include Prozac; an older class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants; and "other antidepressants."

From 1988, the year Prozac was introduced, to 1994, prescriptions for antidepressants increased three- to five-fold. Prescriptions for all three types of medications rose, but the rise was greatest for SSRIs, which increased 19-fold.

Although SSRI prescriptions, which were usually prescribed to treat depression, rose dramatically during the early 1990s, in 1994, more than half of all antidepressant prescriptions were for tricyclic antidepressants. And this class of drugs was most often prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), not depression.

Although tricyclic antidepressants are recommended as a secondary treatment for ADHD, clinical studies do not support the use of these drugs in youths with depression.

Another potential problem is that previous research has shown that many children on SSRIs also receive stimulant medications, which are often used to treat ADHD. The effectiveness and safety of this combination in children is unknown.

The expanded utilization of antidepressants for the management of behavioral and emotional disorders of youth in the 1990s was prominent. More research is needed to strengthen the evidence that the medications are appropriate for children and teens.

Given that a large proportion of children and youths are having their emotional and behavioral problems treated by primary care physicians rather than psychiatrists, future research to evaluate the antidepressant prescriptions among the young must consider the effects of both types of care.

Pediatrics May 2002;109:721-727

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Clearly drugs are not the answer for children with ADHD. There are so many better options.

If they only did the following three steps, the great majority would notice amazing improvement in their ADHD:

• Omega-3 oils, specifically fish oil, is probably the single most important nutrient for a child with ADHD to take.
• Next they should only drink water as their beverage, taking care to avoid fruit juices, soda and milk.
• Restrict sugars and grains, which cause insulin levels to be elevated.

You can also consider using EFT for improving your child's emotional component. I have recently updated my video series on how to actually perform the treatment.

The updated video series has many new advantages:

• New material-over half of the material is new and updated
• Professionally edited
• Will be available on DVD mid-June for extra high quality video
• Over two hours of updated information on my Eating Plan
• Live demonstration of how to juice

If you have a child with ADHD you will certainly also want to view the links below.

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