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Antidepressant medicines often work well, but they do have some risks and side effects. Their use may increase the risk of suicide, especially in the first few weeks of use. If your child starts antidepressants, be sure to be aware of this risk and get help if you see any of the warning signs.
Before prescribing medicine, your doctor will check your child for possible suicidal thoughts by asking a few questions. Some of the questions your doctor may ask your child include:
|Primary Medical Reviewer||John Pope, MD - Pediatrics|
|Specialist Medical Reviewer||David A. Axelson, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry|
|Last Revised||May 3, 2013|
Last Revised: May 3, 2013
Author: Healthwise Staff
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