Tangney 1

Sammi Tangney
Mrs. Born
English I
10 April 2015

Mental Depression
1. Intro- According to CDC statistics, 2.7% of adolescents ages 8 to 15 have been
diagnosed with depression. Some of may think you know about depression, but there is a
lot more to depression than having the blues. According to Mayo Clinic, Depression is a
mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
2. Thesis- Today we will be discussing the pros and cons of giving children and
adolescents antidepressants.
3. Points:
a. Prosi.
Early intervention with this mental stage can help
prevent future burden and increase the quality of life in the years to come.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 11% of
adolescents have depression by the age of 18. The NIMH also states that
with medication, psychotherapy, or combined treatment, most youth with
depression can be effectively treated.
ii.
The risk for depression increases as the child gets
older and can eventually lead to suicide. Over 40,000 Americans took
their own lives in 2012...Those who suffer from depression are,
unsurprisingly, most at risk, says the American Association of
Suicidology.
iii.
Antidepressants have been proven to be helpful. A
survey from Sweden says, More than 20 studies have found that when
antidepressants are more widely available, fewer kids end their own lives.
For example, between 1991 and 1996 Sweden kids swallowed 240% more
antidepressants and the suicide rates dropped by 19%.
b. Consi.
Behavior changes as a kid gets older. According to
the National Institute of Mental Health, changing ages can make it
difficult to tell whether a child who shows changes in behavior is just
going through a temporary phase or is suffering from depression.
Giving a child unneeded antidepressants can be hurtful.
ii.
A side effect of the antidepressants is an increase in
suicidal thoughts. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, found that 8.1
percent of 533 people admitted to the adult psychiatric inpatient service at
Yale-New Haven Hospital presented with psychosis or mania related to
antidepressants (http://www.drugwatch.com/ssri/suicide/).

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iii.
Suicide is already a problem in kids and
adolescents, without the added effect that antidepressants have. Suicide is
the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15-24. Even
more shocking, it is the sixth leading cause of death among children ages
5-14
(www.about-teen-depression.com/depression-statistics.html).
Giving these kids antidepressants would increase this statistic.
c. Transitions:
i.
From Pros to Cons- There are many pros here that
would lead you to believe that giving children and adolescents
antidepressants would be a good idea. Now before you choose a side, lets
go over the cons of these depressive aids.
d. Conclusion: In conclusion, there are many things to think about
before giving young people under the age of 18 these types of medications. There
are positive effects on behavior but negative effects on health. As much as we
want to help those suffering mental depression, we also have to think about the
outcomes.