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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Feel slightly annoyed with the GP for suggesting sertraline to my teen

248 replies

Mumofone200 · 11/01/2022 20:06

My 18 year old son says he has been suffering with anxiety. Heart palpitations and worry about his future mainly during lockdown and up to now. He has attempted to start 3 college courses at different colleges but has dropped out after a short period of time. He now spends a lot of time at the gym working out; sometimes with friends and time on his Ps5; he’s not that active as in Going out. We had a heart to heart and i suggested that he maybe talk to the GP which he did tonight. I feel slightly annoyed with the GP offering sertraline and not encouraging him to change his routine etc as a starting point. I know doctors prescribe medication to heal but isn’t 18 just too young to start medication for something that could be improved by therapy or a change of lifestyle. He is currently not engaged In Education employment or training and this is also a worry. I’ve e tried sitting him down to job hunt and have even applied for jobs on his behalf but nothing is changing. I really think he is. It stimulates hence the mental health decline. I’m really worried. Any suggestions

OP posts:
PotatoPie888 · 11/01/2022 20:10

I am hesitant to post this as I don’t want to alarm you and I am not a doctor but my dc was prescribed this and it had such an adverse effect that they tried to take their own life. They were told to continue taking it by the GP but didn’t (thank god).

MauveMavis · 11/01/2022 20:11

YABU.

His anxiety is seriously impacting his life. He needs help. Have you had a look at the mental health statistics for young men they are dismal.

PotatoPie888 · 11/01/2022 20:12

My dc is now on another medication and is much better. Their problem was Covid induced anxiety. They have also started talking therapy which has made a huge difference.

Original poster
Mumofone200 · 11/01/2022 20:14

I’m a believer of resorting to medication as a last resort. I just think if he tries other things first to see if they work then medication if it’s really needed. I’m scared that once he’s on it the dose will increase and an over dependence at such a young age. His lifestyle needs to change work college etc then reassess. I’m not comfortable with the medication but understand he will make his own decision

OP posts:
Porcupineintherough · 11/01/2022 20:14

I'm no expert but I think you are being U. It may be that medication will help your ds to manage his anxiety enough so that he can make that next step of engaging with the wider world, college etc

Maybe nothing is changing because of his anxiety? You seem to be viewing it as an effect rather than a cause.

BitcherOfBlakiven · 11/01/2022 20:14

YABU.

I was prescribed Fluoxetine at 17 without either of my parents knowing and frankly, it saved my fucking life.

TheNewSchmoo · 11/01/2022 20:14

I am sure your intentions are good, but "change of lifestyle" smacks of "pull yourself together" and applying for jobs on his behalf is overbearing. I can't imagine I would have engaged with that as a teen.

Original poster
Mumofone200 · 11/01/2022 20:15

I’m just so worried. Can’t confide in family really as he’s embarrassed about it and doesn’t want them to look at him differently. I just don’t know how best to advise him

OP posts:
1FootInTheRave · 11/01/2022 20:15

Utterly unreasonable.

Leave him alone and do not dissuade him woth your negativity.

PotatoPie888 · 11/01/2022 20:16

He definitely needs some form of intervention and possibly medication. Just please make sure he gets the right help.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 11/01/2022 20:17

You don't know that therapy or a change of lifestyle alone will improve his anxiety. A two pronged approach can work best. Sertraline is a safe and well tolerated medication. It won't suit everyone, because people can react to some medications, but I've seen people do brilliantly on it and it's transformed their lives and enabled them to do all kinds of things and lead a normal life.

Einszwei · 11/01/2022 20:17

You shouldn't confide your sons private medical details to your family. He is an adult and YABVVU.

BitcherOfBlakiven · 11/01/2022 20:18

Leave it to the medical professionals OP, his life is a wreck but easy enough to sort out right now, with the right medication.

There really isn’t anything else available on the NHS.

AndSoFinally · 11/01/2022 20:19

What did you want the GP to do?! They're doctors, not life coaches or social workers! If you thought he'd benefit from a change in routine, why didn't you suggest this, rather than sending him to the GP?

If he hit the diagnostic criteria for moderate or severe depression, then the GP will prescribe antidepressants. They only suggest watchful waiting if you're scoring mild on the diagnostic criteria.

GADDay · 11/01/2022 20:19

Be aware that you might not know the extent of the issue.

My DS (same age) was self harming (secretly), the doctor prescribed meds to address the anxiety and depression related to that.

Our teens have a lot going on and can be selective in their disclosure.

cherrypie66 · 11/01/2022 20:19

The medication may make him feel more able to get a job etc ? May be the kickstart he needs to feel better he doesn't t have to be on them forever. I would have thought it's worth a try Applying for jobs for him is pointless. He had to do it himself !

TheSoapyFrog · 11/01/2022 20:19

The thing with anxiety and depression is that it is easier to make life changes and participate in therapy once the medication has started to get the extreme feelings under control.

GrolliffetheDragon · 11/01/2022 20:20

I'd keep an eye on him as the side effects can be unpleasant (sertraline didn't suit me, but another kind did, sometimes you have to try a few) but it's not necessarily a bad thing that he's been prescribed them.

Do you know if anything like CBT was discussed?

LemonViolet · 11/01/2022 20:20

YABU. He’s an adult and medication choices are between him and his doctor, frustrating as it may be, you need to keep your opinions and beliefs out of it.

Mo1911 · 11/01/2022 20:20

He may have told the GP things that he hasn't told you. Leave it be. He's an adult, he can discuss it with his GP independently at the moment.

BitcherOfBlakiven · 11/01/2022 20:21

@AndSoFinally

What did you want the GP to do?! They're doctors, not life coaches or social workers! If you thought he'd benefit from a change in routine, why didn't you suggest this, rather than sending him to the GP?

If he hit the diagnostic criteria for moderate or severe depression, then the GP will prescribe antidepressants. They only suggest watchful waiting if you're scoring mild on the diagnostic criteria.

Exactly.

I was referred very quickly to a Psychiatrist because I was classed as a suicide risk, which came as a shock to me but I obviously presented that way and answered the questions that way.

I moved out at 18, which isn’t really an option for teenagers these days. But I still needed medication, and regular appointments until I was 21.

Porcupineintherough · 11/01/2022 20:22

@Einszwei

You shouldn't confide your sons private medical details to your family. He is an adult and YABVVU.
The OP isnt confide her son's condition to anyone but you can see that that makes it difficult for her to access support for her own concerns. And of course she will worry about him, he's her son and things are not going well for him right now.

OP I think you should take this willingness to speak to the GP as a very positive first step. The medication may be a very positive second step and yes, is likely to make other approaches like cbt more likely to succeed.

WithASpider · 11/01/2022 20:22

DD1 was prescribed citalopram for anxiety at 17. It's been a godsend really. She was eventually diagnosed with OCD and ASD but the medication has allowed her to get the intrusive thoughts and panic attacks under control enough that she could develop coping strategies.
She has weekly talking therapy too but struggled to engage before being medicated.

Medication is not a last resort for this, it's a breathing space to allow other aspects of daily life to become less overwhelming.

Cornettoninja · 11/01/2022 20:23

It doesn’t have to be, or at least shouldn’t be, one or the other. Medication may be the key to helping him engage with other avenues that without medication he wouldn’t be able to.

Do keep a close eye on him, some SSRI’s can increase the issues people are having temporarily whilst their systems adjust and also they need to be properly weaned off if they decide not to take them anymore but don’t write off other aspects that you think may be beneficial because it’s not the case that one method takes care of everything.

WayneBruce · 11/01/2022 20:23

I'd go with the GP advice.

But you do realise it's not your opinion that matters and it's up to your son?

Following medical advice is always the best course of action.