1. Do teens really need antidepressants -- isn't it normal for them to experience depression and moodiness?

Chang: Well, some do and some don't. It can be tricky to tell the difference between normal teen moodiness and an actual mood disorder that needs treatment, which is why it's important to involve a qualified mental health professional in the diagnosis. Between 8 and 9 percent of teens have depression or anxiety that needs some type of intervention, be it therapy, medication or a combination of the two.

2. Are mental health problems increasing in children or are we just diagnosing them more?

Chang: I believe we're diagnosing them more. We're realizing more and more that we're not dealing solely with poor parenting or children who can't cope. Genetics play a role, and there may be environmental components as well that we haven't yet identified. In the past many of these children went undiagnosed and untreated.

3. If my child is on antidepressants, should I be worried?

Chang: Not worried, but aware. If prescribed to the wrong child, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, can cause unusual or erratic behavior, angry outbursts, decreased need for sleep and suicidal gestures. Some of these children may be in the early stages of bipolar disorder, which requires a very different type of medication. But as a parent, I wouldn’t decide not to treat my child solely due to a fear of the medication.

4. Why do these medications increase suicide risk mostly in kids? It seems counterintuitive when the medication is actually meant to make them feel better.

Chang: Children may respond to psychiatric medications differently than adults because their brains -- like their bodies -- are still developing. For example, tricyclic antidepressants, which can be effective in adults with depression, don’t really work in children. Also, it can be difficult to differentiate between depression and early bipolar disorder in adolescents. Because SSRIs can cause simultaneous manic and depressive states in people with bipolar disorder, which can lead to an increased suicide risk, it's vital to ask whether there's a family history of bipolar disorder or if the child has ever responded negatively to other psychiatric medications.

5. Do you think the new warning labels will change prescription patterns?

Chang: I'm concerned that physicians will start shying away from prescribing these medications appropriately, which could have negative consequences for patients. These medications can be lifesavers, but just like any medication they need to be prescribed and monitored carefully. The outcome of an untreated child with true depression is very poor.