Mechanism of Antidepressant-Related Dysfunctional Arousal in High-Risk Youth

Youth in the MED condition will be given the USFDA approved antidepressant, escitalopram for the treatment of depression or anxiety in youth and follow a standard dose titration schedule of 5 mg/day for 1 week, 10mg/day for 1 week, then with a target dose of 20-30 mg/day by 4 weeks. Titration will be no faster than 5mg/week. This titration guideline was drawn from the escitalopram package insert for pediatric dosing, which states that target doses may be achieved by 4 weeks.

All participants (No MED and MED) will be assigned a study-trained therapist who will provide hour-long weekly individual cognitive behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) based on current evidence-based practices for the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms for youth.