(Update) Treating Autistic Children With Antidepressants May Worsen Condition

Autistic children treated with the antidepressant drug Celexa were no more likely to have reduced symptoms of their condition say researchers of a new study.

Celexa is commonly prescribed for children with autism as doctors feel it works to reduce bouts of abnormal behavior.

The researchers of the study even go as far to suggest that treating autistic children with Celexa actually enhances their erratic behavior.

Autism is a social disorder that effects approximately 1 in every 150 babies born each year in the United States.

The condition is characterized by a child’s inability to socialize with others, or to communicate effectively.

“A medication that we thought would be helpful for these repetitive behaviors was no better than placebo,” said the leader of the study. “That calls into question how or if we should use [Celexa] or even related medications for this purpose.”