Utilization of antidepressant medications among children and teens continue to rise despite poor efficacy. The assumption in many communities is that these drugs are safe and a front line treatment, but the hazards are rarely discussed and severely underestimated. In our opinion, the risks far outweigh any established benefits for antidepressant use in children, adolescents and young adults. Patients and families should be aware of the substantial risks associated with use.If you are in a crisis or think you have an emergency, call your doctor or 911. If you're considering suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak with a skilled trained counselor.RADICALLY GENUINE PODCASTRadically Genuine Podcast Website Twitter: Roger K. McFillin, Psy.D., ABPPInstagram @radgenpodTikTok @radgenpodRadGenPodcast@gmail.comADDITIONAL RESOURCES6:45 - Cipriani A, Zhou X, Del Giovane C, Hetrick SE, Qin B, Whittington C, et al. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of antidepressants for major depressive disorder in children and adolescents: a network meta-analysis. Lancet. (2016) 388:881–90. doi: 10.1016/ S0140-6736(16)30385-3 9:30 - Documents Said to Show Prozac Risks - The New York Times12:30 - Safer, D.J. & Zito, J.M. Short- and Long-Term Antidepressant Clinical Trials for Major Depressive Disorder in Youth. Findings and Concerns (2019). Frontiers in Psychiatry (2019) 10:705 doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.0070513:30 - Healy D, Le Noury J, Jureidini J. Paediatric antidepressants: benefits and risks. Int J Risk Saf Med. (2019) 30:1–7. doi: 10.3233/JRS-18074620:30 - The Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS): Long-term Effectiveness and Safety Outcomes23:30 - Moreno C, Laje G, Blanco C, Jiang H, Schmidt AB, Olfson M. National Trends in the Outpatient Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Youth. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007;64(9):1032–1039. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.64.9.103231:30 - Unhinged: The Trouble with Psychiatry - A Doctor's Revelations about a Profession in Crisis: Carlat M.D., Daniel: 9781416590798: Amazon.com: Books37:00 - Your Drug May Be Your Problem, Revised Edition: How and Why to Stop Taking Psychiatric Medications