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.
The silent should: When a teenager starts an antidepressant, they should be followed up closely (about weekly) in the first weeks.
In our analysis of de-identified U.S. psychiatric records, this step was missing 73% of the time it should have happened.
This page is information to help you ask questions — it is not medical advice, and you should never start, stop, or change a medication on your own. Bring these questions to your clinician.
Questions for your doctor the next time you see them
Copy a line and ask it — these are questions, never instructions to change 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 informational and not medical advice. It describes care patterns across a population, not your situation. Bring these questions to a clinician who knows you.
Build a checklist for your own care →