Should Adolescent Patients With Depression Be Given Antidepressants?

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK, advocates antidepressants should only be given to adolescent patients with depression if accompanied with psychological therapy. A new study published in the British Medical Journal suggests SSRI treatment with cognitive behavioral therapy will most probably not improve outcomes for adolescent patients with moderate to severe depression.

The study contradicts what NICE has in its guidelines.

A BMJ editorial this week examines the evidence and explains what the implications might be for health care professionals treating adolescents with depression.

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