Research Says Talk Therapy Important for Depressed Teens

A recent study that followed 600 teens with chronic depression for one year demonstrated that 80% of the participants recovered entirely or almost entirely when treated with medication, therapy, or a combination of the two. This is the most comprehensive and long-running study ever conducted on depression treatment in teens. Another noteworty discovery was that talk therapy cancelled the risk of suicidal thinking in those taking anti-depressant medication. Since 2004 the public has been scared stiff with ‘blackbox warnings’ about the increased risk suicidal thinking for teens prescribed anti-depressants. Unfortunately, I have encountered many teens who surely could have benefitted from medication used in conjunction with regular counseling sessions. I’ve always believed this risk is the most over-hyped, exaggerated scare tactic the field of mental health has faced. I hate to know the number teens who could have benefitied from this type of treatment but were denied due to over-zealous types looking to demonize psychiatric medication. I certainly cannot be characterized as ‘pro-medication’ due to the fact that as a Ph.D. psychologist I do not prescribe medications. However, I see the importance of medication in helping some teens with chronic and serious depression obtain more immediate relief from these symptoms while I teach them the cognitive and behavioral coping skills necessary to manage and relieve depression over the long-haul. Unfortunately, important studies such as this do not get the kind of attention by the media that the ‘blackbox warnings’ did just a few years ago. I along with other mental health professionals are left to slowly erode the concerns of anxious parents who were frightened by what was blown completely out of proportion.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/02/health/research/02depress.html?_r=2&ei=5088&en=d61e10903b715bec&ex=1349668800&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1196658881-Wlos+j2Bd0WLO/1BZW7aQw