16 year old and anti anxiety medication

[teenquestion]

I just spent ages writing a post about my daughter and her anxiety, only to lose it! So annoyed with myself.
I can't write it all out again, so will keep this brief. In short, my daughter (17 this summer) has a lot of anxiety and low mood. The anxiety is largely school based.
We have tried counselling and various other things, but it hasn't helped.
We have an an appointment with the GP on Thursday, which my daughter was keen to do. Is it likely that they will offer medication as an option, or is she too young? I wouldn't rule anything out at this point, as it is adversely affecting her life.
Does anyone have any pre-appointment words of wisdom?
Many thanks.

My GP wouldn't prescribe for my DS 14. He is on the waiting list for cahms. Not sure if it varies by region/age of child

In our area it would be a referral to CAMHS, which has a really long waiting list. My teen had an urgent referral which didn’t take too long considering.

A friends DD who was under CAMHS, but who’s psychiatrist had left and the new one wouldn’t prescribe her medication without meeting her, couldn’t get her medication because the GP’s wouldn’t prescribe it as she was under 18!
It was baffling how they’d leave a child without medication, rather than prescribe, while she waited to be seen by the CAMHS psychiatrist.

I was told you had to be 18 for meds unless assessed and with advice from a psychiatrist. Can you ask to be referred to one at the GP appointment?

DD got propranolol (a beta blocker) from the GP at 15 in covid, but to get antidepressants we had to go to a Consultant Psychiatrist as GPs can't/shouldn't prescribe AD under 18.

There is a Children's Mental Health board on MN you may find helpful.

They aren't recommended for children under 18 but can be prescribed. Have you tried hypnotherapy? My eldest DD is a hypnotherapist (not touting for business!) & it works so well for children, she's seen & helped many, many children with school problems. Good luck.

My 16 year old has been on Sertraline for a number of years. It's been life changing and life saving for him.

He was also struggling in school.

Your GP can't prescribe it has to be a psychiatrist or a paedeatric consultant. I'd ask the GP for a referral.

At 16 I was given antidepressants. Before any kind of calms referral. It was the first thing they did.
I know they're life changing for many, but personally I massively regret it as I never got on with them, tried 3 sorts and had nothing but awful experiences and I really wish I went down the therapy route. I'm 24 now.

ADs helped lift DD up enough that she could then access therapy. For us the ADs work hand in hand with therapy. Last summer we permanently reduced DD's AD dose, and we aim to do again this summer when life is less stressful for DD.

No there are certain medications (only certain ones) that GPs can prescribe to under 18’s. X

My DS was prescribed propranolol at 15, almost 16.

Thank you so much everyone. Really helpful info to have, prior to our appointment on Thursday.

I believe it can sometimes make young people suicidal so not recommended for teens and young twenties

I'd be happy for dc to have medication. Mine take meds for other conditions and depression is a medical condition