Depression Medication for Kids
Appointment Hours
Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Front Office Hours
Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Understanding Depression in Children and Teens
Depression can affect children and adolescents in unique ways, often showing up as irritability, withdrawal, or changes in behavior rather than constant sadness. Because young people don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling, parents may notice symptoms before a child does. Understanding the signs of depression and how it differs from typical mood changes is the first step toward helping your child or teen find the right support.
At Mind Works, our clinicians specialize in pediatric and adolescent mental health, offering evidence-based care such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychotherapy, and medication management when appropriate. With the right combination of compassionate care and clinical expertise, we help young people manage major depressive disorder and related mood or anxiety disorders in a safe, supportive environment.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Young People
It can be challenging to determine whether or not a young person in your life is struggling with their mental health. This is because some young adults may hide their underlying mental health conditions very effectively. However, that doesn’t mean that they might not be truly struggling and in need of professional help.
If you think that one of your loved ones is struggling with depression, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for. Some examples include:
- Experiencing a consistent sense of sadness or hopelessness
- Unusual irritability
- Lacking energy or motivation
- A decreased performance at work or school
- Withdrawing from family and friends
- No longer showing interest in hobbies one used to enjoy
- Displaying signs of self-harm
- Expressing suicidal ideation
- Being extremely critical of oneself
- Having trouble concentrating
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
It can be difficult to watch someone you care about struggle with depression or other mental health problems. The good news is that there is help available. Antidepressants for teens have helped many individuals find relief from their symptoms and begin living a happier and healthier life. To learn more, consider reaching out to our team at Mind Works today.
How Depression Affects Children vs. Adolescents
Depression in children can most often be detected through their behavior or through certain physical symptoms. For example, they may begin acting out at home or school. They may become irritable, display low energy, or lose interest in the types of games or toys they used to enjoy. In some cases, they may also complain of physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches.
With adolescents, depression may manifest itself in more emotional or social ways. For example, the individual may often seem sad, hopeless, or irritable. They may withdraw from family and friends and show little interest in hobbies or the types of activities they used to enjoy. Some teens or young adults may also engage in destructive behaviors like self-harm or substance misuse to try to cope with the pain they are experiencing.
When to Seek Professional Help for Your Child or Teen
If the symptoms your child or teen is experiencing persist over time without improvement, it is probably time to seek professional help. It is also important to note whether these symptoms are beginning to interfere with their daily lives, their ability to perform at school, or their relationships with those closest to them.
Launch Your Child’s Healing Journey in Three Simple Steps
1. Get in Touch
Get started with Mind Works by filling out our simple contact form online or giving us a call.
2. Complete Intake Process
Submit all required paperwork so we can better understand your child’s history and needs.
3. Begin Treatment
Meet your child’s provider to establish a treatment plan and begin play therapy sessions.
Treatment Options for Pediatric Depression
Effective pediatric depression treatment often includes a combination of therapy, medication management, and family support. At Mind Works, our clinicians tailor each treatment plan to your child’s unique needs to promote long-term emotional wellness.
Antidepressant Medications for Kids and Teens
Depression medication for kids and teens can be considered an effective tool to help manage an individual’s symptoms. However, in most cases, it is not used alone but in combination with other treatment techniques such as talk therapy. Medication is not needed for every individual. Additionally, some people may need medication initially, but can gradually become less reliant over time.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Other Psychotherapies
Some treatment options that we utilize at Mind Works include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy. CBT is often helpful because it helps an individual become more aware of negative thoughts or behavior patterns. From there, they can work toward shifting away from these negative patterns and replacing them with more positive ones.
For younger children, play therapy may be an effective treatment method because it can help a mental health professional gain insight into a child’s thoughts and emotions. They can then work with them to address and work through these emotions.
Another helpful option is family therapy. Family therapy can help promote understanding and compassion between a child or adolescent and their family members. It also helps family members know how to best support their loved one.
Combining Therapy With Medication for Lasting Results
At Mind Works, we believe that combining therapy with medication is one of the best ways to achieve lasting results when it comes to treating depression and other mental health problems. This is because it can help ensure we are getting to the root cause of the issue and not just putting a band-aid over it through medication. Therapy can help an individual understand their thoughts and emotions better. It can also help provide them with the tools they need to manage these motions more effectively.
FDA-Approved Antidepressants for Children and Adolescents
Certain antidepressants for children and adolescents are approved by the FDA and can be safely prescribed under the supervision of a qualified mental health professional. Our team carefully evaluates which medications may best support your child’s depression treatment and overall well-being.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
One of the medications that is most often prescribed to treat depression in children and adolescents is SSRIs. This is because they are often associated with fewer side effects than other depression treatment medications. SSRIs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating mood and emotional balance. The result of this process is that mood is often improved, and anxiety is often reduced.
Commonly Prescribed Medications (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa)
Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, and Celexa are all commonly prescribed medications for depression. The chemical name of Prozac is fluoxetine, and it is often prescribed to those 8 years old and up. For Zoloft, the chemical name is sertraline, and it is often prescribed to those 12 years old and up. The chemical name for lexapro is escitalopram, and it is often prescribed to those 12 years old and up. Finally, the chemical name for Celexa is citalopram, and it is most often prescribed to adults.
Other Options: SNRIs and Tricyclic Antidepressants
In other cases, doctors may choose serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants when prescribing depression medication for teens. SNRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine can help increase energy and focus. Some examples include Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor XR (venlafaxine).
Tricyclic antidepressants are not as commonly prescribed. This type of medication affects both serotonin and norepinephrine levels.
Safety, Risks, and Side Effects of Antidepressant Use in Kids
Like all medications, antidepressants for kids come with potential risks and side effects, which is why close monitoring is essential. At Mind Works, we emphasize safety, open communication, and evidence-based guidance throughout your child’s treatment journey.
Black Box Warning and Suicidal Thoughts in Adolescents
It is important for parents to know that there are always potential side effects associated with antidepressant use in kids. One of the most concerning risks is suicidal thoughts. This is most common for those under the age of 25. Other lesser side effects could include:
- Nausea
- Lack of energy
- Trouble sleeping
- Dry mouth
- Changes in weight or appetite
Because of the risk of side effects, it is important to always monitor a child’s or adolescent’s mood and behavior, especially when they are adjusting to the medication. If any concerns arise, it is critical to reach out to the individual’s doctor right away.
Understanding Potential Side Effects (Weight Gain, Sleep, Mood)
Everyone can respond to a certain type of medication in different ways. In some cases, depression medication can lead to weight gain. This is because it can affect the individual’s appetite and even their metabolism. At Mind Works, we will closely monitor symptoms such as weight gain in your child and can adjust their medication as needed.
Some depression medications can also impact sleep. This can be by making it harder to fall asleep or by making an individual feel tired even after having enough sleep. Seeking guidance on the best time of day to take a certain medication can help reduce these problems.
Finally, some depression medications can lead to mood fluctuations. Most of these fluctuations will pass once the individual adjusts to the medication. However, some of these symptoms could include an increased sense of sadness or irritability during the early days of adjusting to the medication.
How Clinicians Monitor and Support Your Child’s Safety
At Mind Works, our clinicians will carefully monitor your child’s symptoms as they adjust to a particular medication in order to help ensure their safety. This includes regularly checking in with them and assessing any potential side effects, especially those affecting sleep, mood, weight, and appetite. They will also adjust the dose or the medication itself as needed in order to ensure it is working effectively.
The Role of Evidence-Based Care in Medication Management
Our approach to medication management is rooted in evidence-based care, combining clinical research with compassionate support. This ensures your child receives the safest, most effective mental health treatment for lasting recovery.
Why FDA Guidelines and Clinical Trials Matter
FDA guidelines and clinical trials are essential in order to ensure that the medication prescribed is both safe and effective. Clinical trials help doctors to best understand how a certain medication works and what types of side effects may be expected. They can then provide this information to patients and their families so that they can make an informed decision about whether they want to take a certain medication.
Personalized Treatment Plans for Every Child
At Mind Works, we understand that each child’s mental health situation is different. As a result, their recovery process can look different as well. Because of this, we prioritize developing a unique treatment plan for each child that is dependent on their specific needs.
How Mind Works Coordinates Medication and Therapy
At Mind Works, each member of our child’s treatment team coordinates together to ensure they are receiving the most effective treatment. This includes open communication between therapists, medication prescribers, and a child’s family members. The treatment process will also include regular check-ins, monitoring the child’s progress, and ensuring that medication is working as expected.
Supporting Your Child’s Recovery Journey
Recovery from depression in children takes time, patience, and a strong support system. We help families learn how to encourage progress, build resilience, and reinforce positive coping skills at home and beyond.
Helping Parents Navigate Treatment Decisions
The treatment and recovery journey associated with depression can seem overwhelming to parents. This is why our team at Mind Works prioritizes being there to support parents each step of the way, ensuring they always know what to expect and feel that they are playing an active part in the treatment process. Ongoing communication helps to make sure that parents and treatment providers remain on the same page.
Encouraging Consistency in Sessions and Follow-Up Care
We believe that consistency helps lead to lasting progress. This is why we encourage teens and adolescents to consistently come in for treatment sessions and stay on top of their treatment program. We help provide follow-up care by checking in with patients, tracking their progress, and monitoring any potential symptoms.
Building Long-Term Coping Skills for Depression and Anxiety
At Mind Works, we want to equip your child with all the skills they need to cope with depression and anxiety in a healthy and effective way. Some of these coping skills may include emotional regulation, resilience, stress management, and mindfulness.
Why Choose Mind Works for Depression Treatment
At Mind Works, we specialize in depression treatment for children and teens using a compassionate, family-centered approach. Our dedicated clinicians provide the guidance and expertise your child needs to heal, grow, and thrive.
Experienced Clinicians in Adolescent Psychiatry
Our talented clinicians are highly experienced in adolescent psychiatry. This specialty allows them to provide treatment that is best tailored to the different stages of young adulthood.
Outpatient Care Designed for Children and Teens
Our outpatient treatment programs are specifically tailored to the unique needs of children and teens. This program provides flexibility so that a child can continue attending school and stick to their normal daily schedule while still getting the treatment they need.
Collaborative Approach With Families at Every Step
We collaborate with family members during each step of the treatment process. This helps to ensure that the family is able to make informed decisions when it comes to their child’s treatment and always feels they are playing an active role in this process.
Meet Our Expert Team
Our team of mental health care professionals is ready and waiting to help you and your loved ones find peace and healing.
Shawna Torres
LCSW
Keeley Armes
LPC, TF-CBT
Robert Wilcox
LPC
Jessica Moya
LCSW
Cheryl D. Kelley
LPC, Assessments
Ashley Briggs
APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Prozac and Lexapro are FDA-approved medications for children and teens.
Because the FDA has approved Prozac and Lexapro for depression treatment in children, both of those medications are considered safe. However, it is important to note that side effects can still occur, even with these approved medications. This is why monitoring a child’s mood and behavior on antidepressants is so important.
These medications help to block the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for regulating mood and emotional balance. As a result, an adolescent’s mood will often be boosted after taking this medication.
During the first few sessions of treatment, your child’s care provider will get to know them and establish goals for treatment. They will also evaluate them and work towards starting to build an individualized treatment plan based on their specific needs.
During regular follow-up appointments, our clinicians will assess and monitor specific side effects such as mood, weight changes, sleep, and energy. They can then adjust medication as needed to ensure it is working as effectively as possible.
Yes, at Mind Works, we provide multiple types of evidence-based therapy in addition to medication management.
Yes, Mind Works works with multiple insurance providers. You can reach out to a member of our treatment team to determine if we accept your specific provider.
Success Stories
“Highly recommend Mind Works. I am a clinician in Illinois and needed to find a clinic in Texas that could provide services to my client that was moving. This is no easy feat to do across the United States. Mind Works was fabulous to work with from the very beginning. Coordination of care was 5 stars and my “previous” client is very happy with their new counselor. Thank you very much for going above and beyond during this difficult time so many other counseling offices are facing. I appreciate all the help and coordination you offered my client!”
“I have known the owners for over 8 years and have taken a family member to Mind Works. Therefore, I can speak of them both personally and professionally. There truly is no better place for this service, especially for children and young adults. On the personal level, I know how much they truly care about everyone they meet. On a professional level, the entire staff is a reflection of the dedication to helping others and competence that gets results that the owners exude. During the incredibly trying time of this pandemic and the fear and anxiety it has caused many people, we are incredibly blessed to have Mind Works available to support.”
“The front desk staff is kind and courteous and helped me find the right therapist for my child. When I met my therapist she was kind and explained the process to me. I love that she included me in the play therapy process and helped me understand how to help my child. Thankful for the therapists at Mind Works!”
“Mindworks is the leader in child centered play therapy and collaborative care in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Their focus is solely on the mental health of children and teenagers. Each clinician at all four locations is seasoned, knowledgeable, experienced, and capable. Parents trust that their child is going to get the treatment and services they need and deserve.
I thoroughly enjoyed working as a clinician at Mindworks. The support and leadership is consistent and outstanding. Unlike any other job that I have had, leadership and clinicians work together to cultivate an awesome work environment.”
In some cases, depression medication for kids can help provide effective relief from symptoms. Call Mind Works at (210) 366-3700 today to learn more.