Depression (MDD) in Adolescents

FAQs

  • 1. Is Lexapro approved for depression in adolescents?
  • Lexapro is approved for the acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescents aged 12-17. Lexapro is the second antidepressant to be approved for the treatment of MDD in adolescents, a medical condition that affects approximately 2 million adolescents in the United States. For more information, see: The Guide for Parents and Caregivers of Adolescents.
  • 2. Is depression common among adolescents?
  • Yes. Approximately 2 million U.S. adolescents aged 12 to 17 have suffered a serious bout of depression in the past year. For adolescents who suffer from depression, talk therapy and medication can play an important role in the management of their illness. For more information, see: the Assessment tool for MDD in Adolescents or Treatment Options.
  • 3. What are the symptoms of depression in adolescents?
  • Adolescents with depression may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative and irritable, and feel misunderstood. Because adolescence is a time full of changes these signs of depression may be mistaken for normal teenage behavior and it can be difficult to recognize that an adolescent is depressed. A healthcare professional can do a thorough assessment and make a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. For more information, see: Assessment tool for MDD in Adolescents.
  • 4. What are the available treatments for depression in adolescents?
  • There are two major approaches to treating depression in adolescents that can be used alone or together. Counseling, or psychotherapy, can help people find new ways to cope with problems and understand more about depression and how to avoid it. Antidepressant medicines relieve the symptoms of depression by restoring chemical balance in the brain. These medicines may take several weeks to be effective, but they work well and are generally safe. Drug treatment may not be indicated for all adolescents with this syndrome. For more information, see: Treatment Options.
  • 5. When can your adolescent expect to feel better?
  • Your adolescent may start to feel better after taking Lexapro for a few weeks, but the full antidepressant effect may take 4 to 6 weeks.

    To feel the best from their medication, they should always take Lexapro exactly as their doctor tells them. It's important that they take Lexapro even after they begin to feel better. Depression doesn’t begin suddenly and so it will also take time to experience recovery.

    Their doctor may recommend continuing Lexapro treatment even if their symptoms improve or go away. They should stay on treatment until their doctor tells them that it’s safe for them to stop. For more information, see: Treatment with Lexapro.




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