Antidepressants for 16 year old. Can anyone share their experience?

[NewNameWho]

Hi, my DD is 16 and very unhappy. No specific reason, but a general low mood over the last 6 months or so. Very tearful and flat. She is having counselling with someone who she saw when she had similar issues a couple of years ago, and they have recommended trying antidepressants. She does have a history of anxiety and low mood so this isn't a brand new problem but has become much worse with the stress of the pandemic and GCSEs etc.

My initial reaction was that I didn't want to go down this route as I'm really scared by the risk of suicidal thoughts/action etc. But this is no way for her to live her life and I do really trust the counsellor who thinks that this is the best course of action for her.

Do any of you have any experiences of your young teens taking antidepressants- good or bad? I'd be so grateful as really don't know what to do and don't have anyone to ask!

Yes, both mine are on Sertraline for irritabilty and anxiety related to autism and adhd.

The medication has helped enormously and they wouldn't have managed without it. There have been no problems with side effects and they're quite happy to be on it because it helps so much. Personally I would recommend your dd gives it a try. She can start with a low dose - often that's all that's needed - and see how she gets on. I'm on an antidepressant long term due to depression related to autism and adhd and they've given me my life back.

My y11 is on Fluoxetine. Having not been able to do schoolwork for a year, since Easter she has been able to focus enough to sit a few GCSE assessments.

GPs can't prescribe them to an under 18yo, you would need to go through a psychiatrist.

Yes I’ve experience and fluoxetine is extremely effective in teenagers. @TeenMinusTests I don’t think it’s true that a GP can’t prescribe these to under 18s. Mine has

And suicidal ideation is a very very rare occurrence as a side effect

My GP told me she couldn’t prescribe to under 18s.

That’s not actually correct under NICE guidelines. They may be unwilling to, they are not banned from doing so.

Ah ok. It’s very frustrating really. My dd is under CAMHS and I still can’t get antidepressants prescribed. We’ve gone to private psychiatrist who won’t do anything while she’s under CAMHS.

I can only give you the other side of it. I sank into depression at 16. With near constant suicide ideation that I told nobody about. I was afraid of what might happen to me, and how they would panic if I did tell them.

It was the early 80s, there was a scandal about people, mostly women, having spent years of repeat prescriptions like valium without being monitored by their doctors, so for a while getting any kind of medication for mood issues was harder than normal.

I got stuck, I never sought treatment again, assuming I'd be turned down.

At 53 I've been prescribed an antidepressant. It's been several months now. I can't describe the relief that comes with the freedom from being out from under the huge black cloud and constant thoughts of killing myself after all these decades.

I try not to dwell on the "could have beens" of the lost years. I have now. But sometimes... people serve shorter terms for murder than the mental prison I was left in.

It's worth bearing in mind that both medication and no medication routes can come with a price to pay.

My 16yo was prescribed anti depressants by the GP

He was low, anxious, suffering OCD and pretty much withdrawn from society.

Now he is a few years older he is still on them but he sees them as something that stabilises him. He still has low self esteem and anxiety but he works in a responsible job and lives alone by choice but we are still close. He does have a partner who isn’t a particularly good fit but that is a different story....

I had to go privately to a psychiatrist after my daughter was discharged from CAHMS for not engaging. She was 14 at the time. It was costing me @ £500/month (£350 for the psychiatrist, £60 for private psychotherapist and £80 for the meds).

My daughter felt suicidal on them early on and our local GP would not support her on anti-depressants despite a private psychiatrist prescribing them. It came to a head and the psychiatrist referred her back to CAHMS who allowed her to continue on anti-depressants under the CAHMS psychiatric team.

I would seriously investigate CBD oil. Have a look at UK Facebook groups for information on the different types.

Big hugs xx

There are also some relevant threads on the Child Mental Health board.

My teen has been on sertraline prescribed by CAMHS psychiatrist for the last few years. It has made a big difference to anxiety, they have ASD and have really struggled since transitioning to secondary school.

My pre-teen is on fluoxetine for anxiety related to autism and OCD. It's working well. We have a psychiatrist, however.

For children and young people NICE guidelines specifically state "If an antidepressant is to be prescribed this should only be following assessment and diagnosis by a child and adolescent psychiatrist." 1.6.15 here