More than a third of teenagers with treatment resistant depression showed significant improvements with in switching medications, according to a new study published in the “American Journal of Psychiatry.” This might seem obvious, if one drug doesn’t work for an illness, try something else. But current treatment guidelines may keep teens who don’t respond to the most common drug treatment for depression, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI’s, on the ineffective treatment too long.
Nearly 40% of depressed teens don’t respond to their first treatment with SSRI’s, but current guidelines suggest keeping them on the drug for 2-3 months before switching. Warren Throckmorton, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology at Grove City College (PA) and former president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, points out that, like any other medical condition, “What works for one person may not work for another.” If SSRI’s aren’t helping in the first month or two, “Look for what helps your teen and seek physicians who are aware of the newer research on the topic.”
The new study followed 334 teens between 12 and 18 years of age with moderate to severe depression. When teens with resistant symptoms were switched to a different antidepressant and participated in cognitive behavioral therapy, nearly 55% of them showed improvement. The early and more aggressive the treatment adjustment, the better the results were. Those who were given, and responded to, a new therapy/drug combinations in the first three months were also most likely to become depression free.
