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Helping children with depression

Date created
2017
Authors/Contributors
Author (aut): Schwartz, C.
Author (aut): Waddell, C.
Author (aut): Andres, C.
Author (aut): Yung, D.
Author (aut): Barican, J.
Author (aut): Gray-Grant, D.
Abstract
Background: For children who develop depression, timely and effective treatments are essential — to minimize both symptoms and distress, and to help them return to healthy lives.Methods: We used systematic review methods to identify randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions for depressed children and youth. Applying our inclusion criteria to the 99 studies identified from our searches, we accepted 14 RCTs.Results: Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) stood out as a robust treatment for childhood depression, whether delivered individually, in groups, or by computer. As well, the medications clomipramine, escitalopram and fluoxetine reduced symptoms but were also associated with significant side effects. Conclusions: Strong evidence suggests CBT is the best among the psychosocial interventions for depression and comes with no side effects. All children with depression should offered this intervention. Among the medications, the evidence is most robust for fluoxetine. Any young person prescribed an antidepressant needs regular monitoring for both benefits and side effects.
Document
Published as
Schwartz, C., Waddell, C., Andres, C., Yung, D., Barican, J., & Gray-Grant, D. (2017). Helping children with depression. Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly, 11(4), 1–16. Vancouver, BC: Children’s Health Policy Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University.https://childhealthpolicy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RQ-11-17-Fall-R.pdf
Publication title
Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly
Document title
Helping children with depression
Publisher
Vancouver, BC: Children’s Health Policy Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University
Date
2017
Volume
11
Issue
4
First page
1
Last page
16
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Permissions
You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this work under the following conditions: You must give attribution to the work (but not in any way that suggests that the author endorses you or your use of the work); You may not use this work for commercial purposes.
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
No
Language
English
Download file Size
RQ-11-17-Fall-R.pdf 898.35 KB

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