I think it is OK for some people, but anti-depressants shouldn't be given to anyone under 21 in my opinion. If the drug isn't working for you and starts to make things worse (agitated and restless in addition to depression) I don't think a younger person has the frame of reference to realize things aren't right and they should stop taking it. Doctors really need to stress that not all medicines work for everybody and there are alternatives. Also, I think lower doses are better.
NO NO NO!!!!!! If you have a bad reaction to prozac you are bipolar!!!! You need MORE prozac (or whatever SSRI) stacked with mood stabilizers and lithium. I have listened to a "doctor" in the process of trying to destroy someone close to me tell me that prozac was a very important "tool" for diagnosis of bipolar. Thank GOD the person didn't listen and is now living a normal life instead of an eternal act of balancing drugs to therapeutic levels.
I hate to say it. But I have to agree. Giving SSRIs to children present a dagner which cannot be understated.
If we continue to do so, we WILL see more kids on these drugs go balistic the same way this kid did and kil a bunch of people.
These drugs are like a "bull in a china shop" in your brain.. they may help ease some depression, but they can make a person behavious dangerous and unpredicatable. I know first hand, trust me.
Bones