The teenage years can be fraught with adversity and challenge for some young people. Between the demands of school, friends, family, and, sometimes, work, it's not surprising that some teenagers become depressed. It's estimated that up to twenty percent of teenagers experience depression at some point during their adolescent years. Many times depression goes unrecognized by friends and family and the teen is forced to deal with the issue on his own. For the ones who do seek treatment from a doctor, antidepressants are often prescribed for short term use until the issues causing the depression are resolved. Unfortunately, there's been increasing concern about the risk of teenage suicide associated with the use of antidepressants. Is this concern legitimate?

The antidepressants most commonly prescribed to treat the symptoms of depression in teens are a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRI's. These medications act by making serotonin more available to certain areas of the brain which helps to positively affect mood. Although these medications can produce a variety of side effects including dry mouth, dizziness, lightheadedness, and headache, the most serious concern is the potential to increase the risk of teenage suicide.

To assess whether serotonin reuptake inhibitors actually increase the risk of teenage suicide, a meta-analysis was performed. This is a study which analyzes a large number of previously conducted studies that looked antidepressant use and teenage suicide risk. The results of the meta analysis suggested a small increase in teenage suicidal behavior for those teens who took SSRI antidepressant medications, but no actual increase in the teenage suicide rate.

Although the risk of teenage suicide wasn't shown to be higher in this particular meta-analysis, some previous studies have suggested an increased risk, particularly when the medication was first begun. The risk seems to flatten out once the teen has taken the medication for a few weeks.

The suggestion that antidepressant use in teens could cause even a slight increase in suicide risk is of concern to parents. Is it safer to avoid using antidepressants to avoid a very small increased risk of suicide with the knowledge that untreated depression can also increase teen suicide risk? This is a difficult question to answer and the answer may depend partially on the severity of the depression and the personality characteristics of the teen involved.

If your teen is depressed, it's best to talk with your doctor about potential treatment options. Let your doctor know of your concerns about the risk of teen suicide and antidepressants. If your doctor recommends SSRI's as a treatment option, your teen should be followed closely while on the medication. Watch closely for any evidence of suicidal threats or behavior or any sudden change in personality. These should be reported to your doctor immediately. Suicide talk or threats from a teen should always be taken seriously.

Although use of antidepressants for treatment of teen depression is controversial, in some cases they may be beneficial. Be sure to discuss all the potential options with your teen's doctor.