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Types of Antidepressants for Teens

Editor:
Emma Loker
Emma Loker
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When it comes to antidepressants for teens, there’s one thing most families have in common: questions. 

Is this the right step? Will it work? What are the risks? What if it changes who they are? Whether you’re a parent trying to make the best decision for your teen or a teenager attempting to make sense of how you feel and what can help, all of these unknowns can feel like a heavy weight. Using antidepressants to help your mood can seem like a huge step, but for many teenagers, it’s also an essential part of feeling better. 

On this page, we’ll take you through some of the most common antidepressants prescribed to teenagers, how they work, what they’re used for, their side effects, and what it’s like to start taking them. We’ll also go through some important things like:

  • Whether antidepressants affect brain development
  • If antidepressants cause mood changes
  • How to support your teen through the process 

Whether you are starting to explore treatment options or are already on this journey, know that there are always options available. 

Types of Antidepressants for Teens

What Do Antidepressants Treat?

Did you know that one in five teens experience a mental health condition?1 With mental health negatively affecting so many adolescents, it’s good to know that there are different treatment options available, one of which is antidepressants. Despite the name, antidepressants aren’t just used to treat depression and improve your mood. You can also use antidepressants for teenage anxiety and conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar depression.2 

Medication can be effective for managing symptoms of depression and is often combined with talking therapy to improve things further. There are many types of talk therapy available, but in particular, research shows cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are great for treating depression.3,4

Although antidepressants can be effective for treating depression, it’s important to remember that they aren’t a cure. They can help to manage symptoms, but they don’t address any underlying causes that might be contributing to depression or anxiety. 

Antidepressants for Teenage Depression

There is a range of antidepressants that can be used to treat teenage depression, and we shall look at the most common types next.5

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

The most common Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, also known as SSRIs, are: 

They work by balancing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain (chemicals that can affect your mood). SSRIs increase the serotonin in the brain. They’re also effective at reducing depression symptoms and tend to have fewer side effects than other types of antidepressants. 

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

The SNRIs you may have heard of include:

SNRIs work by increasing two different chemicals in the brain – serotonin and norepinephrine. Because they affect two types of neurotransmitters they can cause more side effects, which is why they are usually considered after SSRIs have already been tried. They have been shown to help reduce depressive symptoms as well as help with anxiety. 

Other Antidepressants

Other types of antidepressants can be used to treat teens when SSRIs or SNRIs either aren’t helping or if there are issues with side effects:

  • Norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs): Bupropion (Wellbutrin) works by increasing the amounts of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. 
  • Tetracyclic Antidepressants (TeCAs): Mirtazapine (Remeron) works by increasing the release of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs): TCAs work by increasing the amounts of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. 

There are several different types of antidepressants, meaning there are many options available when trying medication treatment. 

How Antidepressants Affect Teens

You probably have some questions about how antidepressants affect teens, right? Can it affect their brain development? How will their mood change? And what is the ‘Black Box Warning’ you’ve heard about? Let’s take a closer look at each of these. 

Antidepressants and Teenage Brain Development

The impact on brain development in teens taking antidepressants still doesn’t have a clear answer. From what we know, there is little evidence that the developing teenage brain is at any risk from antidepressants. However, there isn’t solid evidence to prove that there is absolutely no risk.6 Because of this, there must always be a risk-benefit analysis by a medical professional when a teen starts antidepressants, just as when anyone takes any new medication. 

Mood Changes in Teens on Antidepressants

When you start taking antidepressants, you expect that your mood will get better. What you may not realize is that you may feel worse before you start to feel better. There are potential side effects for any medication that you take, and some mood-based initial side effects can be anxiety, agitation, irritability, and even suicidal thoughts.2

Antidepressants and Suicidal Thoughts in Teens

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that antidepressants may increase suicidal thinking and behavior in a small amount of teens.7 This is why antidepressants are labeled with strong warnings, known as a Black Box Warning (as the warning is printed in black type and framed in a black box). When your teen begins antidepressants, it’s important to look out for any signs of their mood worsening, such as:

  • Talk of suicide 
  • Self-harm
  • Agitation
  • Worsening anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Worsening depression
  • Impulsiveness
  • Aggression

Although this warning sounds scary, remember that your doctor will have carefully weighed up the pros and cons before prescribing antidepressants to an adolescent, and will do what they think is in their best interest. 

What to Expect When Starting

A question many people have is how long do antidepressants take to work? A very general timescale is four to six weeks. Once you begin taking an antidepressant, such as an SSRI, it can take several weeks before medication levels become steady enough to help your symptoms. 

Something to be aware of is the side effects of antidepressants in teenagers. Antidepressants can have different side effects based on their type, but some of the most commonly seen include:8

  • Nausea
  • Stomach aches
  • Headaches
  • Agitation
  • Irritability
  • Sleep problems

It’s important to know about potential side effects because some of them can be easily managed. For example, if your teen feels drowsy because of the antidepressant, it might be better to take it at bedtime. If they feel nauseous, there may be suggestions from your doctor on whether it would help to take the medication before or after meals. 

Discuss all side effects with your doctor so that they know how you are reacting to the medication. If the antidepressant doesn’t seem to be helping, or you are experiencing unpleasant side effects, there are always options available. Your doctor may want to adjust the medication dose or try a different antidepressant in the same group, or a completely different type of antidepressant altogether.8

Quitting Antidepressants Safely

When you want to stop taking antidepressants, it’s important to do it under the supervision of your doctor. Stopping antidepressants can bring a host of unpleasant withdrawal effects, and current evidence shows that teenagers experience these as well as adults.9 These effects can range from being so brief or mild that you don’t even notice them, to being so severe that it can feel impossible to function without the medication. Antidepressant withdrawal symptoms in teens can include:10

  • Feeling like you have the flu (fatigue, headaches, aches)
  • Vivid dreams or nightmares
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Mood changes 
  • Tingling or shock-like sensations

You’re more likely to experience withdrawal effects if you either suddenly stop taking the antidepressant, have taken the antidepressant for years, or take a high dose. Withdrawal can also vary depending on the type of antidepressant you take. This is why it is so important to discuss when you are thinking of stopping your medication with your doctor, and to involve them every step of the way so that you can come off of them as easily as possible. 

How to Support a Teen on Antidepressants

If you’re a parent or caregiver reading this page, you may wonder how you can best support your teen while they are on antidepressants. We have some tips for you below:

  1. Educate yourself about your teen’s condition, the medication they take, and other treatment options that can support them alongside antidepressants. That way, you can help to answer any questions they have. 
  2. Have open conversations. Check in with your teen and ask how they’re feeling. Starting antidepressants can feel intense – it can take a while for them to have the benefits you’re hoping for, and there may be side effects. Encourage them to be honest with you and to let you know how they are feeling. If you know what they’re going through, you can help them more. 
  3. Watch out for red flags. Remember that black box warning we talked about earlier? Sometimes people don’t feel comfortable talking about dark feelings or thoughts creeping in, so it’s good to keep an eye out for those warning signs. If you think your teen is showing those red flags, talk to them and talk to your doctor immediately. 

Natural Alternatives to Antidepressants for Teens

As well as antidepressants, there are natural alternatives or holistic approaches that you can use to improve how your teen is feeling. Therapy has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression in teens, especially CBT and IPT.3,4 Changes to habits and lifestyle can also have positive effects, for example, getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting the right amount of sleep, and spending time in nature.11,12,13,14 Alternative and holistic treatments, such as mindfulness meditation, can also help ease depression symptoms in teenagers.15 

However, natural alternatives should always be considered as complementary to conventional medical treatment. They are not a replacement for the advice and guidance given by medical professionals. 

Frequently Asked Questions

“Is it safe for my teen to take antidepressants?” 

Antidepressants are generally safe when taken in line with the instructions you are given. Your doctor will also have weighed up the benefits and risks of taking them.

“Can antidepressants make things worse at first?” 

Sometimes, the initial side effects can mean that your teen feels physically and sometimes emotionally wobbly, but most side effects are manageable and temporary.

“What if one type doesn’t work?” 

There are a range of different antidepressants available, so if the first type doesn’t work for you, there are always others you can try. 

“Can antidepressants change my personality?”

No, they don’t change your fundamental personality traits. However, as the medication begins to help the underlying mental health condition, there may be changes that come from mood and symptom relief. 

“Do teens grow out of needing antidepressants?” 

Sometimes. Teens can have a brief episode of depression or anxiety which then resolves itself in adulthood.16 This could be because they have finished developing into adults and changes in their brains have helped resolve mental problems. Or they may have learned new skills for coping through therapy, meaning they have less need for symptom control through medication. 

Types of Antidepressants for Teens

Seek Guidance on Medication for Depression

If you or a loved one are experiencing depression and wondering what your treatment options are, know that you are not alone. Support is available, whether you want to look at medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a combination, and we are here to help you find the best route forward to healing. 

Mission Prep provides depression treatment that’s tailored to your individual challenges. Our team of mental health professionals is available for you, and we have a range of treatment programs so that we can support you in the best possible way. 

Reach out to us today at (866) 990-7769 to discover how we can support you through your depression recovery. 

References

  1. Sappenfield, O., Alberto, C., Minnaert, J., Donney, J., Lebrun-Harris, L., & Ghandour, R. (2024, October 1). Adolescent mental and behavioral health, 2023. National Survey of Children’s Health Data Briefs – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK608531/
  2. Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). What to know about antidepressants for kids and teens. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/teen-depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20047502
  3. Spirito, A., Esposito-Smythers, C., Wolff, J., & Uhl, K. (2011). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescent depression and suicidality. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 20(2), 191–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2011.01.012
  4. Duffy, F., Sharpe, H., & Schwannauer, M. (2019). Review: The effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents with depression – A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 24(4), 307–317. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12342
  5. Miller, C. (2024, November 18). Medication for kids with depression. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/medication-for-kids-with-depression/
  6. Cousins, L., & Goodyer, I. M. (2015). Antidepressants and the adolescent brain. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 29(5), 545–555. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881115573542
  7. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. (2018, February 5). Suicidality in children and adolescents being treated with antidepressant medications. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/suicidality-children-and-adolescents-being-treated-antidepressant-medications
  8. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (n.d.). Depression in children and teens. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Depressed-Child-004.aspx
  9. Khan, Y. S., Khoodoruth, M. A. S., Albobali, Y., & Haddad, P. M. (2023). SSRI withdrawal syndrome in children and adolescents: A narrative literature review. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 22(5), 381–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/14740338.2023.2224557
  10. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, March 19). Antidepressant discontinuation syndrome. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25218-antidepressant-discontinuation-syndrome
  11. Quirk, S. E., Housden, S., Brennan, S. L., Williams, L. J., Pasco, J. A., Berk, M., & Jacka, F. N. (2014). Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: A systematic review. American Journal of Public Health, 104(10), e31–e42. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302110
  12. Lachance, L., & Ramsey, D. (2015). Food, mood, and brain health: Implications for the modern clinician. Missouri Medicine, 112(2), 111–115. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6170050/
  13. BMJ. (2024). Effect of exercise for depression: Systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 384, e075847. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-075847
  14. Schimelpfening, N. (2023, December 5). How to fight depression without medication. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/beat-depression-without-prescription-drugs-1065079
  15. Rahl, H. A., Lindsay, E. K., Pacilio, L. E., Brown, K. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2016). Brief mindfulness meditation training reduces mind-wandering: The critical role of acceptance. Emotion, 17(2), 224–230. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000250
  16. Patton, G. C., Coffey, C., Romaniuk, H., Mackinnon, A., Carlin, J. B., Degenhardt, L., Olsson, C. A., & Moran, P. (2014). The prognosis of common mental disorders in adolescents: A 14-year prospective cohort study. The Lancet, 383(9926), 1404–1411. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62116-9

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