SD medication to feel better

I've lived all over the World (26 countries now...) the worst place I have lived for unsafe prescribing has actually been England. For both sides of the argument (over prescribing and with holding)...

People who have never lived anywhere but the UK don't understand how different prescribing is in some countries.

This question I asked earlier is really important, @stuckinthemiddlewithyou1:

Is it just a few to take as needed, or is it a repeat prescription?

At 19 she would be unlikely to understand the risks of taking benzodiazepines for more than a few days at a time (absolute max 2 weeks).

You don't get to say who leaves or stays on a thread, it's a public forum and I can share my insight, opinion and knowledge and I have every right to when it comes to anti-psychiatric troops due to the insane amount of damage they cause across all aspects of our societies globally..

This isn't black and white, people can chose to take meds if they so wish, it's not your decision - your stigma has come across in the way you have described your SD on this thread (as others have pointed out).

Perhaps you need to look at why you are not able to sit with your uncomfortable feelings on psychiatric medications rather than imposing those on others? Have you sought help for your feelings relating to your brother for instance? It may be something you find useful?

And you\ve been told no, you don't have a right as you shouldn't have accessed (and shared), then questioned this information in the first place, let alone come on here and used the phrases you have to describe her

And it all comes across this is purely your own stigma around people taking mental health medications and those struggling with mental health.

She's 19 - she needs (and is expressing) she wants to make this decision in her way, and how she feels is right.

And you say she is stating "she is an adult and capable of making her own decisions" - she doesn't want you involved and yet you keep forcing yourself into her issue, which she is dealing with in a way that she wants to do, as a 19 year old.

Because she didn't come to you and tell you what was happening. You found out through her medical records.

You’re talking to people who can’t fathom a Dr prescribing benzos and SSRIs for someone saying they’ve felt depressed and anxious for 4 days. That’s the unthinkable part in the UK or anywhere with sensible prescribing policies for these drugs. It’s much easier for us to imagine your stepdaughter is not telling you what’s really bothering her rather than imagining that a Dr would prescribe in what you believe are the circumstances.
Can you tell her they are very serious meds and need ongoing monitoring which you’re happy to help her arrange is she would like your help with that?

She may have asked for the meds. She may have done her own research and begged for the tablets. Doctors don’t always push tablets on young people, but it may be different where you are. I wonder if peers have influenced her too?

How do you know she's been happy for months? She may be good at hiding how she is feeling.
Last year I was really struggling, I went to the doctor and the main 2 things that had broken me were my car breaking down and my DD having a tantrum, which sounds trivial when written down. However the doctor was able to see that there was much more and I told her a lot in confidence.
I was prescribed medication and once that had lifted the fog I was able to access therapy. I don't think it's your place to decide how she's feeling and what medication she does or doesn't need.

Parenting young adults is so much more complex when they are struggling.

Whatever people say, once the info comes to them that their child is on an antidepressant and benzo, most loving parents will not be able to ‘un-see’ that info (however accessed) and will want to help. Being a parent and being a hcp are very different circumstances with entirely different dynamics.

OP, as you quite rightly note, young people who start antidepressants can become intensely suicidal and have the worst consequences. It has also hit the news recently. You are absolutely doing the right thing by expressing some concerns about this.

However, it is of course her decision and she will do as she sees fit. Just keep an eye on her and encourage some psychological input and engagement with professionals if possible.

Your SD doesn't appear to trust either you or your dh with what is actually going on. You can't force someone who doesn't trust you to disclose private information to you. Trust is built over time through loving, understanding relationships. If you would like her to trust you and come to you when she is having difficulties instead of bulldozing in acting like you have a right to know what is going on with her work on your relationship with her and show non judgemental interest in her life.

I think prescribing these medications because she misses her boyfriend and has to get a lift to school is ridiculous. However, you only know what she chose to tell you, which might be very different from her real reasons.

I don’t engage with people like this. Don’t waste your energy by responding further!

And you wonder why she isn't sharing the full information with you...

I hope she finishes uni soon and get run for the hills because honestly you have come on here and insulted any one who has disagreed with you - I have no doubt you do the same to her when she goes against your wishes (for instance taking medication when you are so clearly anti it).