@grandmar, I can see this is worrisome. We always want to do things right, especially for children. Like @johnhans, I think it is important to ask the physician about the goals of treatment. Medication doesn't have to be forever, but it might be a way to get to the goal. I would also ask about how long the anticipated use of medication might be? What is withdrawal like? How does one know if it is the right time to discontinue, etc.

You might want to listen to these Video Q&As with Mayo experts Dr. Angela Mattke, pediatrician, Dr. Rachel Lynch and Dr. Jarrod Leffler, child and adolescent psychologist. They discuss treatments. This might help formulate the questions to ask.
- Video Q&A about Recognizing and Treating Depression in Children and Teens https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-about-recognizing-and-treating-depression-in-children-and-teens/
- #AsktheMayoMom about Anxiety and Depression in Children https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/may-18-2017-askthemayomom-about-anxiety-and-depression-in-children/