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

[Mumofone200]

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

Everyone is different - I was prescribed sertraline at 19 and it’s been my wonder drug, I fully believe I wouldn’t be here now without it. Others swear by the horrors of it. I’d advise supporting your son in his choice and make sure he can talk to you if he needs to. Medication might help him take steps to being more motivated and engaged with life.

@Mumofone200

I’m just a concerned parent and can’t switch off. I sent him to the GP as I really don’t know what else to do with him. I’ve suggested he contact healthy minds or similar agencies but he just doesn’t listen to anything I say. He is still living in my home rent free etc so I really can’t just allow him to sink without trying to help.

What does the fact that he is living in your house rent free got to do with it??

Hi! Didn't want to read and run, I am on sertraline and it has made such a difference, I have generalised anxiety disorder and suffer from depression.
I wish I had had this opportunity in my teens to improve my mental health and well done to you for being there for your son in this.
The most valuable thing you can do is keep communication open so that he feels comfortable talking to you. I definitely recommend counselling/cbt (for you both) I don't know if it's available in your area but the talking changes service is great.
Sertraline like any drug can have side effects if he does decide to try it it's important to follow the doctor's directions and be honest about changes in his moods and behaviours. Your support will help him do this, there should be no stigma in taking medication for mental health were it's justified, just like taking pain killers. Make sure your son knows this :)
Best wishes x

@Warmduscher - thanks for picking on that one phrase, super, well done.

IF your take the post as a whole you will see that I also -
1 - explained why I thought it was a good idea
2 - agreed that it doesn't suit everyone
3 - said that it was a means to an end, getting the man to a point where he can effectively engage in other therapies

But sure, pick on that.

I think the GP will have made the right decision because having listened to the patient, having had experience of others in the same position, and not having a crystal ball to hand, this is the best immediately available treatment for the problem presented.

You're projecting your own experience in a way that the OP can't possibly find helpful. Just a "well look at my daughter" adds nothing. You said yourself, it was prescribed and then she was dismissed. The problem wasn't the setraline, or the NHS as a concept, it was that the GP saw it as an end in itself which was clearly wrong.

We all know now that women have far worse outcomes/ medical treatment, and who knows what other issues at play. But these are not what the OP needs to know about.

She needs to keep an eye on her son, think about her own language and behaviour around mental health, and trust that this is a positive first step.

As I have already said, if he deteriorates, either dramatically because the drug doesn't suit, or over time, meaning it's not helpful, then SHE should help him get further help and investigation. I actually recommended that!

How did you find that 2 years of decline with your daughter? What I'm recommending would avoid that.

Don't assume the doctor is always right, but don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

These palpitations have he been checked over. MY DS had this ambulance one night. He then had a monitor, turns out there's a slight issue. They're wary with drugs for him now

Regarding sertraline, I have found it very helpful from a young age, I think one problem when you are younger is making sure that you actually take it. I find in the morning is best say before 10, but as a teenager I'd lie in until 2 and then mess up the medication and experience side effects. I found a notebook and make a note of each day I took it. Have you heard of the Princes Trust? They run a 10 week scheme for people up to 25 and it is really good if you have lost your way. If you call your local college they can help refer you to the NEET team in your area who might have other ideas. It is great he is going to the gym, if he likes that maybe he might look at something like an online course as a personal trainer or something. The main thing I appreciated was mum helping make me good meals and just telling me life is long and I wasn't a mess and things would come good.

Also, a little part time job might be good

I agree a part time job or something very minimal would help get him out. I also understand his mental health is preventing him going out there to get the job! No I’m not aware of him taking steroids but he has been using lots of protein powder so. It sure if that’s affecting his mood.

It's a real shame that many people think that medical intervention for a mental health problem should be a 'last resort'. I'm pretty sure this attitude is directly related to the stigma that has surrounded mental health for decades.
Why should people that are suffering have to try everything else possible before being given the option of relief from simply trying a low dose of something? If you've ever tried to get a new job, take part in a new group actvitiy or make new friends whilst suffering from extreme anxiety you'll know that this is an impossible ask. Even getting dressed and eating is progress when you are that unwell.
How does DS feel about trying the sertraline? It is a 'trial' after all - it's not a life sentence. It could just give him the relief he needs, the breathing space, the calm and peace of mind to spur him on. Chronic anxiety is debilitating in ways that people who havent suffered with it can't even imagine.
Exercise, healthy diet, sleep and healthy relationships help to maintain mental health - they are not a total cure for when things have spiralled out of control.
Within 3 months he could be happier, more productive, enjoying life.
Research it together with him but ultimately it's his decision.

I’ve told him to take his time and think about what he wants to do. If he chooses medication I will support him. He said he doesn’t want to take medication as doesn’t want to depend on them. That’s his view. I’ve told him to look into it and that the medication is always there whenever he needs it.

I'm not sure, what you wanted from the GP? It seems you sent him there more for a buck up chat, than anything, change your diet and your routine and you'll get over it. It may be the GP felt that more than as needed than that after a conversation with your adult son. Maybe he did jump on AD's too quickly, did your son request someone to talk to as well?

@Bluesarestillblue

Please keep an eye on him. The first few weeks on sertraline are horrendous and make anxiety worse. Apparently it’s even more horrendous for teenagers

The first few weeks on sertraline, as a 17yo, were not 'horrendous' for me. In fact, it probably saved my life. Please keep your misinformation to yourself.

I had absolutely no idea there were so many qualified GPs and psychiatrists using Mumsnet...

My 15 year old has paid, anxiety and severe depression. If it wasn't for meds she likely wouldn't be here. It is not a last resort it's a quick fix then you learn to adapt and change routines, lifestyles while safely medicated you learn to adapt and change while adjusting the meds or coming off. You are making a mistake, he may have told the doctor alot more than he's told you. How many suicidal people tell people before hand. Don't leave it too late. He will not get better without chemical interference then you can work with him on everything else, once they'd is lifted, once the negative feelings are gone. Don't let your views stop your son recieving treatment. He will thank you for it!

PtSD*

My 17 year old dd has been taking sertraline for about 4 months now. The difference in her is astonishing, she’s so much happier and confident. Her anxiety was crippling for her but she is able to do ‘normal’ teenage things now.

FFS. He's worried about taking them because you, and others, give him the idea that he should be scared of them.

If he's said enough to the GP to get a script, then he needs to give them a chance. Contrary to some views, all GPs are not handing them out like smarties.

He may say he doesn't want to rely on them but as you will now know from this thread, that is bollocks.

Equally, if he was dependant on them, but felt human, able to function and could get on with his life, I'm not sure if I'd argue with that, either

Oh, and as for a little part time job, until he's able to function, you're just giving him something else to feel shit about, if he can't face it, or can't find something appropriate.

Don't discount the headspace it can offer, thus helping your DS help himself. Sertraline got DP through a nightmarish time and offered respite from crippling PTSD. He's now slowly lowering his dose to eventually come off completely.

Be aware it can have side effects though. DP especially seems to get very tired all the time and sleeps loads. I call it the chemical cosh. He also misses "having more of an emotional range". In short we're both grateful for it, it was needed, but we won't miss it tbh- I suppose that means it is working though!

At the same time, I don't think tablets help everyone. I refused propanolol for anxiety. I don't want to have to wean myself off something or be stuck on it. I'm also an overthinker with low self esteem. Whilst it might have taken the edge off my anxious nadir, I felt taking it would have made me feel worse about myself overall. I just wanted cbt to help me with the thoughts and pinpoint and discuss how I ended up do anxious.

You sent him to the expert, and don’t like what they have to say. If he is having palpitations and bad anxiety and won’t stick to anything then it sounds like meds are a good idea! We’ve come a long way from the antidepressants which left you zombie like. The tablets will just take the edge off and allow him to calm down while he works through whatever is going on. I personally take it long term and nobody knew but me. It lets me sleep at night, keeps my emotions more even. Allows me to get through the day without my heart pulsating. That’s it. None of those things are bad. It took a few tablets to get to these, a few dosage changes, no big problems though. Just some people respond better to some tablets than others. Quite a few people here talking about a dramatic change in their quality of life here in a positive way. Does that not put your minds at rest? Or is it a stigma thing?

I started sertraline when I was 18/19 and it changed my life. If he wants to I’d let him try

When you’re suffering with anxiety it’s almost impossible to simply change your lifestyle or routine, amidst the overwhelming fog in your brain that makes it feel as though you’re in quicksand with no way out. You might as well be telling him to pull himself together (ie., not at all helpful). Medication is a great starting point that will enable him to see the world in a more positive light, and THEN he will be much better equipped to make healthy lifestyle changes that will also help him

I'll only give you my opinion based on my own experience. For the past 10 years I thought that something was not quite right with me mentally. I did go to the GP and they put me on three different types of antidepressants, none of them work and only made me feel worse. I eventually got tired of it so contacted Mind. They then got me in touch with a psychiatrist and that was a god send. He told me that what I've always felt was normal and it was episodal and unlikely to be made better with medication. I started talking therapy at his suggestion. It's been four years now and after my misfortunes I now know that it's best to self refer to MH services and they'll make a judgement based on symptoms. I now take valium if needed only to ride the wave of overwhelming emotions, after a couple if days I get out of that cycle. It works for me. TL:DR try to get your DS to self refer to MH services, they have a much better specialised view than a GP.

Might even need to see GP about my own mental health as terrible nightmares the last few nights! I think his situation is triggering mine

Ah yes how inconsiderate of your son to be struggling. This isn't about you. I'd be proud of him for reaching out and seeking help, surely as an adult he is capable of trying the medication and seeing if it helps, seems the GP was out of magic wands to magic it away.

UGH...

So if he had a nasty infection you'd chuck herbal teas and vitamin C at it before antibiotics?

If he breaks his leg you'll wrap it in a wet paper towel and hope for a bit before having that seen to, plastered, pain meds given?

Don't be ridiculous and don't give him the impression that antidepressants and medications for mental health are a crutch of some kind, or that they can be there 'on hand' to be ignored until things are desperate - most of them do not work like that and he will need to take them consistently for some weeks before there are positive results.

He needs support, not doubts and negativity from you.

Listening to your GP, and taking responsibility for your own health are not mutually exclusive.

If you've got a far as you can with one doctor, see another one, or ask for a referral.

I think you don't want him to have these mental health issues, and you don't want him to need medication for them. It hurts you because you're his mum and he's still your baby and you want this problem to be fixable with a bit of a kick up the bum and a change of routine, and then he'll be back to his old self and feeling great. Problem solved.

None of this makes you a bad person or controlling. I think it's quite a normal reaction. You're getting a hard time on here.