Robert Milin1, Selena Walker, Joy Chow. 1. University of Ottawa, Regional Children's Mental Health Centre, Royal Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario. rmilin@rohcg.on.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Treating adolescents with depression remains a major clinical and public health challenge. Because of the serious morbidity and mortality associated with adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD), there is a need to review the published literature on treatment efficacy to establish effective treatment choices for these adolescents. METHOD: We reviewed the recent literature on the treatment of MDD in adolescents using the Medline and PsycINFO computerized databases. RESULTS: Results of open studies of MDD treatment in adolescents suggested therapeutic efficacy; however, later, better-controlled studies are more difficult to interpret, owing to the high rate of improvement with placebo. Currently, there is limited evidence of robust, effective therapeutic interventions in children and in adolescent depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limitations, current findings from studies investigating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), cognitive-behavioural therapy, and interpersonal therapy generally support these treatments as safe and effective for adolescent MDD. Still, further investigations into these treatments for adolescent depression are warranted.
OBJECTIVE: Treating adolescents with depression remains a major clinical and public health challenge. Because of the serious morbidity and mortality associated with adolescent major depressive disorder (MDD), there is a need to review the published literature on treatment efficacy to establish effective treatment choices for these adolescents. METHOD: We reviewed the recent literature on the treatment of MDD in adolescents using the Medline and PsycINFO computerized databases. RESULTS: Results of open studies of MDD treatment in adolescents suggested therapeutic efficacy; however, later, better-controlled studies are more difficult to interpret, owing to the high rate of improvement with placebo. Currently, there is limited evidence of robust, effective therapeutic interventions in children and in adolescent depressive disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limitations, current findings from studies investigating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), cognitive-behavioural therapy, and interpersonal therapy generally support these treatments as safe and effective for adolescent MDD. Still, further investigations into these treatments for adolescent depression are warranted.
Authors: Yoshihiro Noda; Zafiris J Daskalakis; Jonathan Downar; Paul E Croarkin; Paul B Fitzgerald; Daniel M Blumberger Journal: Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat Date: 2014-10-31 Impact factor: 2.570