What is the recommended treatment for adolescent depression according to the material?

• A. Fluoxetine
• B. Citalopram
• C. Venlafaxine
• D. Psychotherapy

Answer: (D)

Psychotherapy is the recommended treatment for adolescent depression in the material. Evidence-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy address mood symptoms, negative thought patterns, and interpersonal difficulties, helping youths develop coping skills and improve functioning at home and school. This route is favored because it has proven benefits in adolescents and avoids the pharmacologic risks that require careful monitoring, such as potential suicidality with antidepressants. For many teens with mild to moderate depression, psychotherapy alone can lead to meaningful improvement. If symptoms are more severe or therapy alone isn’t enough, antidepressant medication (most notably fluoxetine) may be considered as an add-on, but the material emphasizes psychotherapy as the initial and primary treatment.