Contrary to the popular belief, authors of a new study now suggest that antidepressant drugs do more good than harm to children and teenagers. There have been many instances when parents blamed antidepressants for the suicides of their depressed children and many studies showed that drugs might promote suicidal thoughts.

It prompted the Food and Drug Administration to send out a warning to doctors and also in 2004, the FDA called for "black box" warning labels on antidepressants. However, many experts believe that after the warning to curb the use of antidepressants, there was a sudden surge in U.S. youth suicides that was blamed on reluctance to try antidepressants.

When researchers analyzed data on 5,310 children and teenagers from 27 studies, it was found that for every 100 kids treated with antidepressants, only about one additional child tends to suffer from suicidal tendencies.

Also, in the study of antidepressants including Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, Serzone and Remeron, there were no suicides reported.

AP quotes study co-author Dr. David Brent of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as saying,

"The medications are safe and effective and should be considered as an important part of treatment. The benefits seem favorable compared to the small risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior."

Experts also recommend the use of antidepressants to treat anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders and also to some extent in treatment of depression.