Close follow-up when a teen starts an antidepressant
When a teenager starts an antidepressant, they should be followed up closely (about weekly) in the first weeks.
Across de-identified U.S. psychiatric records, we found this step was missed about 73% of the time it should have happened.
This page is here to help you know what to ask about. It is not medical advice, and you should never start, stop, or change a medication on your own. Bring these questions to a doctor who knows you.
Questions to ask your doctor
Copy a line and ask it at your next visit. These are questions to start a conversation, not instructions to change your treatment.
- My teen just started an antidepressant - how often will we check in over the first weeks?
- What warning signs should we watch for, and who do we call?
This page is information, not medical advice. It describes care patterns across many people and can't speak to your own situation. Bring these questions to a clinician who knows you.
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