Teens, anxiety and SSRIs?

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Ds1 (19) has always been rather fragile mentally - at times he comes across as über-confident, he's clever, good-looking and sporty but he's had tics, OCD-type behaviours and can be very impulsive which constantly got him into trouble at school

He started going out with his first serious girlfriend in the summer and went off to university in September. He's been struggling with severe anxiety and mood swings - he'll feel really happy and motivated for a week or two and then plunge into the depths of despair. He's been physically sick several times and finds it hard to cope when he's feeling low. His need to do things a set number of times, different numbers depending on the task, is becoming more intrusive. Things are going ok with his uni work - not brilliant but ok - and his girlfriend is lovely and very supportive

He decided to do something about it and has got an appointment for CBT at the uni health centre when term starts again but he's been very low this week and went to the GP this morning. He's been prescribed SSRIs for anxiety.

What can we expect? How long will they take to kick in and how can we support him best? Any experience you can share would be great, thanks

[Marchate]

They can take a few weeks to work

Does he get any real help with his OCD? The university health centre will be able to direct him to specialist services

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Thanks - he's starting CBT but not until the new term

What's the best form of treatment for OCD? He's always had traits but it was just one of his (many) things but recently it's got a lot worse and has started bothering him

[Marchate]

Hello. I'm not an expert but I have two close relatives who suffer with OCD. One also takes anti psychotics. I honestly can't say that either gets the 'correct' treatment as they have good & bad days. One is on a waiting list for a specialist therapy that teaches her to get out of the destructive cycle. Sadly, the waiting list is very long