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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Friend won't take anti depressants medication

5 replies

ThisMellowHedgehog · 05/11/2024 22:42

My friend is a single mum and is having really bad anxiety. She has had a bad time with anti depressants and said she has ended up over dosing on them. So she was put on a mood stabiliser and had been taking it for maybe eight years.

The issue is she stopped the mood stabiliser (not lithium) before she got pregnant and not able to get it prescribed again. The wait list for the psychiatrist is too long as they don't have enough staff. She's had an appointment but wasn't prescribed anything and subsequent appointments are being changed.

She's just about a year post baby And having bad panic attacks. On a wait list for CBT but really struggling with anger ATM.

She will call me when she needs help and baby is at nursery etc.

However she won't take anti depressants as she is worried she will overdose like she has done before. She also said she's not depressed, she's anxious. I've witnessed her having a panic attack as well. Also intrusive thoughts.

She's not under the care of any specialist services as they didn't accept the referral as the baby is too old and before there wasn't a need to accept as she wasn't "bad" enough.

Aibu for thinking she needs to take the antidepressants?

OP posts:
chipsaway · 05/11/2024 22:51

You are right to be very concerned and worried her mental health isn’t being looked but also She’s worried she will overdose and has had a negative experience with anti depressants so she’s not being unreasonable either.
The health visitor or Her GP. can make an urgent referral to the local mental health team and she can also go via A&E. I would urge your friend to get some support soon.

username7891 · 06/11/2024 01:49

Encourage her to speak to her GP and Health Visitor. She could try beta blockers for her panic attacks. Anxiety UK offers reasonably priced therapy. She can also contact Rethink, they have a good helpline or if she's in crisis NHS Direct option 2 and speak to the mental health team.

BetterInColour · 06/11/2024 01:58

I would ask her if she wants your support going with her to the GP, perhaps holding the baby so she can go in and talk freely. She might not, but either way, the advice of the other posters is right, she does need to reach out to the GP, health visitor and MH crisis team and get support and understand her medication options as this is not likely to get better by itself. You are a good friend.

Cakeandcoffee93 · 06/11/2024 02:04

After my baby I was the same and got back on my setraline- three days I was back to my old self. However mood stabilisers is another ball game.
im pretty sure they are for depression more than anxiety tho: can she pay for them private for now?

NoBinturongsHereMate · 06/11/2024 02:04

Has she actually been prescribed antidepressants? And is she depressed? Anxiety is a different illness and needs different treatment.

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