To ask if these much point of trying another anti depressants

[User473830]

Adult dc been on medication on and off for 8 years now. Their mood has got low recently they are taking a low dose of quetiapine but no anti depressants currently. The psychiatrist that last saw him seemed to imply that there would be no point in trying an antidepressant as he’s been on three in the past and none of them worked. I know all cases are different but I know people that have tried a lot more medications than he has. Aibu to think there might be one that works?

[Aquamarine1029]

Have your son's hormone levels and vitamin levels been checked?

[VladmirsPoutine]

He needs to change his psych - that's frankly outrageous!

Finding the right meds + dosage is more of an art/ mix and match than an exact science. Don't give up and accept that's your child's lot - it can be really difficult as it takes a while to feel an effect then sometimes even longer to suss if it 'works' for him. Please don't give up. Everyone deserves a good quality of life and part of this is maintaining mental health.

[Suchan1d10t]

Definitely worth it, I've probably been on at least 7 different types over a period of 20 years, on none at some points too (on Dr advice). Some I barely got past the trial period and they didn't work for me, others for several years, until they seemed to become ineffective and Dr suggested a change.

[User473830]

Thank you both. No he hasn’t had any blood tests to check for any physical causes. It’s hard because he’s still quite young and it feels like to me and to him that he’s being given up because he’s been in for a long period
. He went on anti depressants for the first time as a teenager.

[XDownwiththissortofthingX]

Yes

You're within your rights to request a second opinion from a different psychiatrist, or have him seen bit another one on an ongoing basis if he doesn't feel the current one is adequate.

Presumably the Quetiapine is being prescribed as an anti-psychotic? It does also serve sometimes as an anti-depressant. Just because he's tried three (presumably SSRI's) doesn't mean no other anti-depressant is likely to work. There are other atypical anti-depressants he can potentially take along with Quetiapine if the Quetiapine is doing the required job.

Please don't just settle for what he believes is half-hearted or insufficient attention to his care needs. Psychiatrists can be bloodyminded and obstinate, I've encountered more cases of "I'm the Doctor, how dare you question me" than I've had hot dinners, but every single one of them has given ground when confronted with someone who understands their rights, digs their heels in, and gives as good as they get.

They're just human beings doing a job that is very much akin to pinning a tail on a donkey in the pitch dark. A lot of it is sheer guesswork and fumbling around until you stumble upon something that works, so do not be afraid to challenge or contradict them.

[Springcatkin]

I've been on loads so definitely try others. Some worked for a time then stopped others didn't seem to do anything.
I am currently on quetiapine and venlafaxine which generally work for me but it took years to find the right mix.
Maybe do some research on which work well together and ask?

[Iwalkinmyclothing]

There are loads of anti depressants of various types and three is not enough to decide none will work. Even if those have been three different types it wouldn't be a reasonable assumption.

[CSIblonde]

I would always try a different one. I've tried 4 which didn't work, sertraline however, does work for me. If I got that defeatist response from a GP, I'd feel he/she just can't be bothered to find something that does work. I'd ask to see another GP there instead for the next appointment.

[CSIblonde]

Sorry, psychiatrist not GP.

[Bread999]

The psychiatrist didn't say that OP

[User473830]

They did they said anti depressants are unlikely to work for him and they are limited in the choices they have.

[TwilightPeace]

What caused the depression when he was a teenager?

[User473830]

No particular causes just chemical I’m assuming.

[TwilightPeace]

Something usually causes the chemical imbalance. Stressful life events, trauma, bereavement, isolation, medication, hormones ...

[whataballbag]

Absolutely! Took me a while to find an antidepressant that works for me.

I take quite an old one, imipramine. None of the newer ones really did anything

[RightYesButNo]

If there is no particular cause for the depression as you say, like a severe trauma or psychosis, and there is not an underlying condition that may require being treated with a combination of talk therapy or CBT and medication, such as bipolar disorder, I can’t imagine why this psychiatrist is saying such a thing. Your child definitely needs and deserves a second opinion.

I mean, there are more than three categories of anti-depressants, so he hasn’t even tried all the CATEGORIES of anti-depressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, atypical antidepressants, and then those that fall in the “other” category - that’s six categories) much less considering the numerous, numerous different anti-depressants in each category, of which there are probably 100 or more, all together. Perhaps Google which of the categories he’s tried (put the name of the medication he took in Google, and when you find it on Wikipedia, it will usually tell you in the very first sentence on the page, such as, “Venlafaxine, sold under the brand name Effexor among others, is an antidepressant medication of the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) class”). Then you’ll know which categories haven’t been tried. Not to mention if he discusses with a thorough psychiatrist, they might determine his low moods might also be affected by social or life-stage anxiety, or some combination? Often, some people need a combination of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications. It’s difficult to say.

But to say there is no hope from medications after only trying three is almost negligent, and really not on, of that doctor. Please tell your son not to give up.

[VladmirsPoutine]

Just because you don't know of any particular underlying cause i.e. trauma doesn't mean there isn't one. I don't know what type of relationship you have with your son but I'd strongly urge you both to pursue a different course of treatment wrt finding a second opinion. Especially with the state of things going on right now it's bound to be causing him to feel maybe more hopeless or restless than usual. It really doesn't need to be like this - there are options and alternative treatments. Remember even people who have their right meds + dosage still require ongoing review so to write him off entirely is nonsense.

[User473830]

The psychiatrist can be changed as this service will only let people see the one linked to their gp.

[User473830]

Can’t*

[KellyHall]

Is there only one person for all the GPs in your practice? If it's NHS I'm sure you have the right to a 2nd opinion.

[User473830]

Yes everyone registered with our gp surgery will see this person. The gp won’t touch his medication.

[Dita73]

Please please keep trying antidepressants until he finds the one for him (and he will). I did and it saved my life. Wishing you all the best