Should young people be given antidepressants? No

The medical profession had endorsed the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) well before any of the big studies in children were published.1 Now that studies have been done, the evidence is clear: the drugs are not effective in young people and can increase suicidal behaviour. Continuing to use SSRIs in young people is not good value for money, dangerous, and ethically unsound.

It is well established that tricyclic antidepressants are not effective for childhood depression.2 The evidence suggests SSRIs are no better. Jureidini and colleagues reported that none of the studies on SSRIs for childhood depression have, on outcome measures reported by patients or parents, showed significant advantage over placebo.3 No data regarding rates of self harm, presentations to emergency or mental health services, or school attendance were presented in any study they reviewed, leading them to conclude that investigators exaggerated the benefits …