Do Antidepressants Induce Psychosis in Children and Adolescents? A Naturalistic Study in Ambulatory Pediatric Population.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine if selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) induce psychotic symptoms in children and adolescent outpatients. We secondarily aimed to assess the occurrence of adverse events (AE), with particular interest in psychiatric adverse events (PAE), timing of their onset, and the effectiveness of antidepressants in children and adolescents.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the computerized medical records of children and adolescents treated with antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) for depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.