MedShadow Foundation

What to Know About SSRIs in Adolescents

SSRIs are commonly prescribed to adolescents as a first-line treatment for anxiety and depression. But there’s more to the story. Research suggests that more than half of people taking SSRIs may experience sexual side effects, including reduced libido, decreased sensation, and difficulty reaching orgasm. At the same time, antidepressant prescriptions among people ages 12–25 have risen sharply—climbing by two-thirds between 2016 and 2022, with an additional surge after COVID. While some SSRIs are FDA-approved for pediatric use, others are prescribed off-label. And all carry a black box warning due to an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people under 25. These medications can be essential—but they also require informed, thoughtful use, especially during adolescence. Read more in the full article: https://medshadow.org/conditions-treatments/antidepressants/blunted-before-they-can-bloom-ssris-and-sexual-side-effects-in-adolescents/ #MentalHealth #SSRIs #Antidepressants #HealthEducation