Antidepressants for adolescents and kids not effective

In the April 10th, 2004 issue of the British Medical Journal there is a study report entitled "Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for children and adolescents". As reported before on this blog, there is very little evidence that antidepressants work beyond the placebo effect, and there can be significant and sometime life threatening side effects. My strong bias, based on research, is that depressed teens should be referred for psychotherapy, not put on antidepressants.

Here are the summary points from this study:

"Investigators' conclusions on the efficacy of newer antidepressants in childhood depression have exaggerated their benefits

Improvement in control groups is strong; additional benefit from drugs is of doubtful clinical significance

Adverse effects have been downplayed

Antidepressant drugs cannot confidently be recommended as a treatment option for childhood depression

A more critical approach to ensuring the validity of published data is needed"

bmj.com Jureidini et al. 328 (7444): 879