Therapy
When antidepressants are started in teens, there is a small increase in suicidal thoughts or behaviors—roughly 2 additional teens out of 100—but studies did not find any increase in completed suicides. The risk is highest during the first few weeks, making close follow-up and therapy especially important. Antidepressants are not inherently unsafe; they simply need to be started thoughtfully and monitored carefully.
Psychopharmacology
Antidepressants in teens carry a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors when treatment first begins—about 2 extra teens out of 100—but studies found no increase in actual suicides. The greatest risk is in the first few weeks, so close monitoring and therapy are important. The goal isn’t to avoid treatment, but to use it carefully and safely.
Therapy
Your first therapy session can feel intimidating, but you do not need to have the right words or know exactly where to begin. Therapy is not a test or a performance—it is simply a space to show up honestly, even if all you can say is, “I’m not sure where to start.” The first session is less about fixing everything and more about finding a safe, supportive connection with someone who can help you make sense of what you are carrying and begin moving toward change.
Psychopharmacology
The STEP-BD Trial found that adding antidepressants to a mood stabilizer in bipolar depression did not improve recovery rates and offered no clear benefit over placebo. In fact, patients on mood stabilizers alone did slightly better, reinforcing that antidepressants aren’t reliably helpful—and may complicate treatment—in bipolar disorder.
Psychopharmacology
The BALANCE Trial showed that lithium is more effective than valproate at preventing relapse in bipolar I disorder, with combination therapy offering only modest additional benefit. Plainly: lithium still leads—simple, proven, and effective.
Psychiatry
The TEOSS Study showed that while antipsychotics can help youth with schizophrenia, side effects—especially metabolic ones—vary widely and matter just as much as efficacy. Plainly: treat symptoms, but don’t ignore long-term health risks.
Therapy
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) vs. Fluoxetine trial showed that CBT works as well as medication for social anxiety—but with more lasting effects. Bottom line: Meds can reduce anxiety, but therapy rewires how you face it.
Therapy
The TRIUMPH Registry showed that untreated depression after a heart attack nearly doubles the risk of death, while treated depression carries no added risk. Treating depression after a heart attack isn’t optional—it can be lifesaving.
Therapy
The CAMS Trial showed that both CBT and medication help childhood anxiety—but combining them works best, with the highest recovery rates. Therapy builds skills, meds speed it up—together, they work best.
Therapy
The Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) study showed that ERP is the most effective first-line treatment for OCD, outperforming medication alone.
Therapy
Combining medication with behavioral therapy leads to the best outcomes. Kids receiving both treatments had higher rates of near-normal functioning, along with improvements in academics, behavior, and family relationships—benefits medication alone didn’t fully achieve.