THE IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS IN ADOLESCENT PATIENTS

Abstract

The mental health of adolescents has become an important public health issue, especially given the significant increase in diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorders in this population. In this context, antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have become widely used as a therapeutic strategy. However, despite their clinical benefits, the use of these medications can trigger adverse psychological, behavioral, and metabolic effects, requiring rigorous monitoring. This study aims to investigate the impact of antidepressant use on the mental health of adolescent patients, identifying the main associated adverse effects and evaluating their influence on behavior during treatment. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach, developed through an integrative literature review, using scientific articles indexed in the LILACS, SciELO, and MEDLINE databases, published between 2021 and 2025. The expected results indicate that, although antidepressants contribute to the reduction of moderate and severe depressive symptoms, they can cause adverse events such as initial anxiety, mood swings, psychomotor agitation, sleep disturbances, and, in specific cases, a transient increase in suicidal ideation. It is concluded that the use of antidepressants in adolescents should be based on rigorous clinical criteria, multidisciplinary follow-up, and continuous pharmacotherapeutic monitoring, aiming to maximize therapeutic benefits and minimize risks, promoting greater safety, adherence, and quality of life for patients.