Because antidepressants (SSRIs) increase the potential for suicidal thinking and behavior in adolescents, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners recommends significant qualifications around when and if these medications are to be considered in the treatment of a child.
The College recommends that antidepressants be considered only when cognitive therapy has failed and only if:
- The depression is “so severe that it interferes with the young person’s capacity to engage in counseling.”
- “or the depression is life threatening”.
No such recommended qualifications were found for family doctors in the US.
