Antidepressants for 15 year old? Terrified

There are really varied experiences here aren’t there? My experience was like flowers. My DD’s history was very like yours OP. She started fluoxetine prescribed by a CAMHS psychiatrist when she was 16 I think. I know she was under 18 because like you I was terrified of the suicide risk. It really was a magic bullet for us (just giving my experience) and she said ‘Why don’t they just give these to everyone straight away?’ She has since had a diagnosis of autism too.

I am reassured by facts and I did some reading around to get the research behind giving them under 18, which I found helpful. Also, they started at a very low dose and went up gradually, which I think is to manage the possibly suicide risk. Someone has shared the NICE guideline link up the thread which was helpful.

My suicidal AuADHD DS14 is prescribed antidepressants and it was life changing for him. Gone is the self harm and attempts on his life. His aggression and meltdowns are much less and he is coping better in school. He had tried alternative therapies and councilling beforehand. It was prescribed via CAMHS. It is a big decision to take but on reflection it was the right one for us.

Hi i know this thread is a few months old but how did things go with your daughter? As im in the same position with my son 😢

I'm not sure if this is worth trying but I take magnesium and my anxiety is much better. If she isn't eating correctly maybe her levels are low? May be worth a try before antidepressants.

The point is that the risk goes up for a while when starting the SSRIs, before then hopefully lowering / disappearing. So you have to be extra careful in the first weeks.

I mean... maybe antidepressants are linked with increased risk of suicide (maybe)... but I'm pretty sure untreated anxiety/depression is very much linked with increased risk of suicide!
So, i never understand that argument.

Escitalopram has been very effective for my DS depression and anxiety, I saw his ADHD psychiatrist. He’s now back at school, managing his emotional binge eating and even walking the dog.

I was very anti ssri’s for young people after a bad experience myself and reading research papers. However, I think things have come a little way since then, and we have a good psychiatrist, who I trust.

Re beta blockers - my DD was initially put on these by her psychiatrist when I was reluctant to accept her being given the anti depressants. They worked well to combat her anxiety but the self harm and depression remained an issue which is why she was eventually put on the fluoxetine.

Seeing how much the beta blockers helped her made me feel more positive towards her having the fluoxetine.

The psychiatrist also said that beta blockers should not be used long term for anxiety. I think they are better for getting you through a particular temporary issue that is causing anxiety.

To add - this was all private. CAHMS referral from GP took over a year to offer anything and what was on offer wasn’t adequate.

in England I don’t think GPs can prescribe anti-depressants for under 18s? They have to be prescribed by a psychiatrist. Helped a lot in our situation with older teen, but together with therapy.

I haven't read the full thread.

OP has your daughter spoken to a GP yet?! "She wants SSRIs" but then "you prefer beta blockers" is such an odd way to approach this, surely first point of contact is a GP?

As an aside, I, as millions of people, am on an SSRI and it's not caused suicidal ideation. Quite the opposite, it saved my life. A GP prescribed it to me and is monitoring me and reviewing my medication regularly.

I tried one and it really helped.
I tried a different one and it did cause suicidal ideation - v scary because it just feels like your own thoughts before you realise (and I wasn't warned).
I would say if you try them make the risk very clear - it will stop once the medication is stopped/changed for something else.

I shared your hesitation about antidepressants but it really benefitted my DD, who sounds very similar including the agoraphobia. She also turned out to be autistic despite never having shown symptoms prior so it's a shame your DD won't agree to being assessed. My DD went psychotic on sertraline but fluoxetine has worked really well.

If you have to take time off during possible drug-induced suicidal ideation, then that's what you need to do. Your DD will probably never forgive you for not letting her try something that might give her her life back. Also, isn't anorexia meant to be about feeling in control? I'd be afraid she might revert if she feels she has no control in this decision, especially at 15. Good luck - it's very tough.

My DD was prescribed fluoxetine at age 16 when she couldn't return to school after the first lockdown and her mh was shot to pieces.
Was a game changer, and she became able to slowly engage with therapy and schoolwork. She has just hopefully come off after 4 years.

A CAMHS Psychiatrist prescribed my very young (junior school age) child Fluoxetine and I was very, very reluctant. GP wouldn't even take over prescription because they'd never heard of a child that young being given an SSRI. Made a huge positive difference, very glad we tried it. Reduced self injury a lot.

I dont want to read and run. I know from experience that antidepressants made me very very very mentally unwell. They are not to be messed with and took years to recover from. Having said that I know many people who have taken antidepressants and they have done wonders for them. I would try anything and everything FIRST before considering antidepressants.

How about trying a herbal alternative? There's a few on the market

I’m really sorry to hear this. This is one of the serous and persistent symptoms I was referring to above. Would be really interested to know if there’s any good research into this, or any of the other side effects, withdrawal effects. I went back on an SSRI a few years ago and asked some questions along these lines. The consultant was very thorough and did try to research but the answer every time is some sort of variation of “there’s no research” into this.

So sorry to read about your son OP. What a difficult position for you to be in as a mum with your daughter.

If you had asked me a couple of years ago re Antidepressants I would have said yes do it, however I have been off them over a year now and am sure I have PSSD as a result and feel emotionally flat with virtually no libido. Many feel the same long after stopping them - years, decades later. Definitely worth a look into this because it could be something that would affect your daughter and her relationships for years to come. I wish I had never taken them.

Best of luck in your difficult situation. X

I first took SSRIs at 19 and honestly wished I’d been able to have them at 14-15 when my eating disorder started.

I have not been on them for over 10 years now, but they have been a real life saver at times.

However that’s just one anecdotal experience. I wouldn’t be terrified of them though.
I’m pretty certain the risk of suicide increase is only for the first 2-4 weeks.

It sounds like your daughter has made great progress so I can understand not wanting to jeopardise anything. I think it’s so individual a choice it’s just worth discussing with relevant professionals first and considering worst case scenarios etc. good luck

Exactly the same experience as us !

Antidepressants really may help and especially so if she's wanting to try them. However, not sure, at 15, they'd be prescribed so only a medical professional would know that.

But I'd definitely not be looking at SSRI ones. I know they're the most commonly prescribed for people but from personal experience I would just steer clear as they're a nightmare to get off.

I was prescribed seroxat at 21 and there's a history of suicide in youngsters with that one. I ended up like an addict at the end just taking crumbs as the side effects were horrendous.

Take proper professional advice and I do hope she gets the support she needs.

I don’t think it’s very likely that anyone will prescribe e beta blockers to a 15 year old.

SSRIs have made a huge difference to my dd and many others.

PS - just because one experience of therapy was poor, does not mean they all will be. May be a mismatch with the therapist, or the modality they use, or just not the right timing.