Q. I heard that the FDA determined that antidepressants should not be prescribed for children, but my daughter has been on one for the past year and has been fine. Now I'm afraid for her. What should I do?

A. Since she is doing well, I believe that your daughter should continue taking her medication.

The FDA did in fact recently recommend that a stricter warning label be placed on all antidepressants, specifically called a "black box," which means any doctor prescribing an antidepressant should warn patients and families about the risks associated with the medication.

Specifically, this black box warns that there is a chance of increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth taking antidepressant medications. The FDA, however, did not state that antidepressants should never be prescribed for children or adolescents.

Everyone agrees that depression is a serious illness and should be recognized and treated.

Suicidal thoughts are a symptom of depression, and it is difficult to determine whether suicidal thoughts and behaviors are due to depression itself or potentially from medication.

I would suggest that you be upfront and honest with your child about these risks and talk to her about whether she is having any suicidal thoughts.

I am confident that your doctor will also be carefully monitoring your daughter for changes in behavior such as worsening of depression, severe agitation, restlessness or irritability.

These are warning signs that should be reported to her doctor promptly.

I also recommend that your daughter not be treated with medication alone, as therapy is an essential tool in treating depression.