Question

Though a combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the recommended treatment for adolescent depression, SSRIs are commonly prescribed alone, without CBT. Which of the following are some explanations for this?

-CBT is expensive and many insurance companies do not want to pay for it.
-Pediatricians and family physicians are trained to prescribe drugs but not to treat psychological disorders.
-It can be challenging to get adolescents to comply with CBT because their cognitive, emotional, and social skills are still developing.
-There are not sufficient resources to provide psychotherapy to all adolescents who need it.
Incorrect:
CBT is an emotional drain on the family of the client.

Answer 1

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are commonly prescribed without cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescent depression due to the high costs and limited insurance coverage for CBT, the training gap in prescribing physicians, developmental challenges with adolescent engagement in CBT, and a lack of adequate psychotherapeutic resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

Explanations for SSRIs Prescribed Without CBT

Although a combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended for treating adolescent depression, SSRIs are often prescribed without accompanying CBT. There are several reasons for this practice:

• CBT can be costly, and its coverage by insurance is inconsistent, making it less accessible for some individuals.
• Many primary care physicians, including pediatricians and family doctors, are skilled in prescribing medication but may not have the training to provide psychological therapies such as CBT.
• The nature of adolescent development can make engagement with CBT challenging, as their cognitive, emotional, and social skills are still maturing.
• There is often a lack of resources, such as a sufficient number of therapists, to provide psychotherapy to all adolescents in need.

Each of these factors contributes to the prevalence of SSRI prescriptions as a standalone treatment for adolescent depression.