Antidepressants: Is age an issue?

^{From: Understanding psychiatric medications: Antidepressants - Information for consumers, families and friends (© 2009 CAMH)}

The effectiveness and risks of an antidepressant can vary depending on the age of the person taking it.

Children and teens

Most antidepressants are not officially approved for use by children and teens. The first line of treatment with this age group should always focus on resolving issues in the young person’s life and on counselling. However, when distress is so severe that non-drug approaches are not possible, or when they do not work, antidepressants may be considered. Studies of children and youth who take antidepressants suggest an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour, but not death by suicide.

Older adults

Antidepressants are an effective treatment for depression in adults over 65 and are known to decrease the risk of suicide in this population. However, due to the increased sensitivity of the older body, older adults are more vulnerable to side-effects. As older adults often take multiple medications, they are also more vulnerable to drug interactions.

Contents

• Introduction
• Do I need treatment?
• What do antidepressants do?
• Side-effects
• Types of antidepressants
• Starting and stopping antidepressants
• Antidepressants, other drugs and driving
• Antidepressants, sexuality and pregnancy
• Is age an issue?
• Where can I get more information about antidepressants?
• How can I find treatment or a support group?

• Print
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