Anti-depressants may not improve some symptoms of depression, study says

By Staff Writer

Many parents of depressed teens rely on prescription medications in an effort to alleviate their children's symptoms. However, a new study reveals that anti-depressants may be ineffective.

The report, which appears in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, was conducted by researchers from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center. They tracked the long-term impact of anti-depressant medications in more than 4,000 patients.

They measured several symptoms, including sadness, concentration, appetite, sleep and energy. At the end of the six-year study, researchers found that most of the symptoms of major depressive disorder, such as insomnia, sadness and decreased concentration, persisted despite the use of anti-depressants.

Although some reports have claimed that these medications can worsen one's thoughts of suicide, the UT team found no such evidence in their study.

The study's authors concluded that more measurement-based techniques should be used to treat depression instead of spending billions of dollars a year for ineffective medications.

Summer camps for kids may prove to be beneficial for troubled teens. Many of these programs offer fun activities that help adolescents overcome emotional disorders.