Headline in today’s USA Today:
Study: Most depressed kids get antidepressants but no therapy
“At least half of U.S. children who take antidepressants aren’t in therapy, a large study suggests, and that delays recovery while greatly increasing the number of kids on the medication who are suicidal.”
The report tracks insurance claims for antidepressants from a database of 6.8 million children and teens from 2002 to 2006.
A government study last year found that depressed kids recover most rapidly with antidepressants and counseling that teaches problem-solving and stress management.
Many parents are embarrassed to take their kids for therapy, says Jana Martin, a child psychologist in Long Beach, Calif.
“If kids take a pill, the parents don’t feel it’s as bad a reflection on them. The pill helps, but if kids get bullied on the playground, it doesn’t teach them how to respond and not get depressed, while therapy does. You can’t go take another pill every time someone bullies you.”
Note: as of this writing, there are 44 comments posted below the article at USA Today.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/48jzjy