My son (age 22) started citalopram 10 mg for depression. he attends college hours away from me. how can i monitor his reaction (especially suicidal thoughts) to the drug? he is detached, no zest.

Fledgling anxiety: If your son wants your help on monitoring, he can be in frequent touch w/ you - texting, calling, even skype. If he doesn't, then, even if he were closer or at home, you might not be able to. If he's smart enough to be in college, hopefully he'll take side-effects seriously and protect himself. It's hard for you, I'm sure - but you'll need to trust him and your relationship. Remind him you care.

Talk with him: You can talk with him daily, and make sure he continues to follow up with his psychiatrist. Student Health Services usually have psychiatrists who see patients regularly there; sometimes the college employs them, and sometimes they contract to work specific hours. Your son should also have a therapist to work with consistently, so that he comes through this. Encourage sticking with it.

Local support: From a distance the best that you can do is ask. Does his college have a counseling center that you could ask you son if he is willing to seek support from? That way you can have someone who is able to see, hear and talk to him to make sure everything is going ok. At the age of 22 he is an adult so he would have to be the one to agree to this. Good luck?