logo
welcome
ABC

ABC

'It's like the rain has come and taken the bad cells away': How medication is helping some children have a healthier, happier life

ABC
Summary
Nutrition label

82% Informative

Growing numbers of Australian children and teenagers are taking antidepressants.

Prescriptions for SSRIs, the most commonly-used type of antidepressant, grew 247 per cent in the past 10 years .

Doctors say the rise in antidepressant use reflects a growing number of people seeking help, rather than overprescribing.

Some parents say they feel judged if they "medicate" their children.

The number of children being hospitalised for mental health conditions has gone up steeply from the early 2000s until the present time.

Antidepressants are 'well researched' but come with side effects, such as weight gain and suicide risk.

Some doctors say SSRIs are most effective when not taken on their own.

GPs say they are seeing growing numbers of young patients coming through the door for help with mental health issues.

Dr Leech says SSRIs aren't going to be a magic wand and then you wake up feeling absolutely amazing and life's perfect.

Cathy Andronis wants to see the GP system changed to accommodate longer appointments for people with mental health issues.

VR Score

83

Informative language

81

Neutral language

65

Article tone

informal

Language

English

Language complexity

38

Offensive language

possibly offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

medium-lived

Affiliate links

no affiliate links