DS is refusing to take antidepressants

[politi]

Posting here for traffic

DS is 18. At the weekend he attempted suicide, it was unexpected and he said he regretted it straight away. He was discharged from hospital on Monday and was prescribed antidepressants.

He seems ok-ish but he isn't eating much (he just says he's not very hungry) but he is eating something. He won't take the antidepressants though and I really don't know what to do. Whenever I ask him, he just refuses and I obviously cant force him.

Any advice will be appreciated

Inform the GP he's not taking medication. Obviously they can't discuss with you but they should then ring him.
Are you talking openly and honestly about what happened? The need to tell us he didn't mean it does suggest you might be minimising it.
Do you have cash for a counsellor - him talking about it ASAP is best.

I'd let the GP know. I agree with if you have the money I'd go for private counselling asap.

That must be very frightening for you.
I can understand the reluctance for meds: for me the side effects were worse than the depression but there are alternatives that enable him to be in control. Discuss with him holistic steps he can take. Exercise is the best thing ever for depression (I speak from experience), avoid a carb heavy diet because processing carbs creates a physical feeling for many akin to anxiety. Consider a medical herbalist. I was given something by my herbalist and for me it was amazing and also worked quickly. The medical herbalist I used teaches it at degree level and is also a qualified NHS nurse in MH. There are also probiotics that help too.

He won't agree to counselling, he never has.

I asked him why he wouldn't take them and he said he wouldn't be able to swallow it. I told him that he'd be ok and he agreed to take it today and he was fine.

He's still not eating very much, and he just says he's not hungry etc although he is eating dinner.