Should I agree to ad for dd 15?

[AMBC25]

Hi all I posted a while back about my dd who was suffering from anxiety and depression. She was assessed by camhs, by the psychiatric registrar and nurse and a few weeks later she was seen for a very short appointment with the main psychiatrist. He just asked if anything had changed in the last few weeks and then suggested setraline and refered her for possibly cbt but couldn't give a timeline on that. I have tried repeatedly with dd to get lots of exercise , supplements, and some counseling to no avail. She is really struggling and says she's exhausted from 'trying'. I'm reading up on ad and finding so much conflicting stuff and of course the risk of increased suicidal thoughts in the first few weeks. Some sites quote studies that ad are not effective in terms, some say they help. Also I feel he prescribed for anxiety more than depression whereas I feel depression is her primary problem and read a lot that Prozac is more suitable for her age. Any advice would be much appreciated. I thought other parents experience better than most websites. If I thought they would help I would of course start them immediately

[AMBC25]

Not effective in teens, not terms

[HennyPennyHorror]

I would also pause OP.

I got this from The Royal Children's Hospital

In children and adolescents, there is less experience in treating severe emotional problems with sertraline. ... The use of sertraline to treat a child or adolescent with severe emotional problems should occur with caution and be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes non-medication treatments.

And this from NHS News
www.nhs.uk/news/mental-health/antidepressants-linked-to-suicide-and-aggression-in-teens/

Of course this doesn't help you in the meantime does it. Has she tried Mindfulness?

[SouthWestmom]

My experience is sertraline has allowed my 14 year old to have his life back. No suicidal thoughts (he didn't have them beforehand, that's the risk factor).
I can't tell you how bad things were; a search on my name will probably bring it up.

[Teddybear45]

Anxiety (especially OCD) often causes depression. So if you treat the anxiety then you will often kill both birds with one stone. This is the NHS advice. If you want a second opinion then ask for one.


www.nhs.uk/medicines/sertraline/

[AMBC25]

Thanks so much for replying. The NHS link above advises that setraline is ok for that age but only for OCD which she doesn't have. I will talk to the gp. I'm not sure when I get to see the psychiatrist next

[AMBC25]

Was think I should try 5htp perhaps

[HidingUnderMyDuvet]

I've taken 5htp as a teenager, and sertraline as an adult. I don't think I would personally recommend sertraline for someone that young. The side effects at the beginning are difficult to cope with. And I would prioritise counselling, privately if you can afford to. You mention it in your op, but I'm not sure if she's had some or not. I've had many counsellors over the years and have finally found one I really get, and she has helped immensely, so might be worth trying someone with a different approach if you don't feel like she's improved?

[HidingUnderMyDuvet]

In my opinion any medication you decide to go with will only be a sticking plaster until she's unpicked the issue with a good counsellor.

[AMBC25]

Totally agree on the counsellor, hard to pick one, was wary because she was so I'll of just bringing her to anyone coupled with the fact that she doesn't really open up.
Did you find the 5 HTP helped at all?

[HidingUnderMyDuvet]

Yes, I do think the 5 htp helped. But it's been (and still is!) a long journey.

[MrsMaiselsMuff]

Does your daughter want to try them? At 15, this is her choice, not yours.

[ImperfectTents]

My 15 yr old is on fluoxetine. I was very reluctant but as the poster said above , it has given her her life back. If you are under Cahms and getting good support from a psychiatrist it is worth trying. I wouldn't do it with a gp as they have Les time and experience on teenage mental health