So proud of DD (there is hope!)

[TeenPlusCat]

When the pandemic hit, DD's anxiety went through the roof and depression through the floor. She missed all of y11. As her worst she would hardly go outside even just for a walk around our pavements, and developed a massive fear of being near strangers or anything else 'unclean'.

This weekend she has been able to view a town jubilee celebration from the edge, go to a country fair for a short time, and today try clothes on in a shop - these are all massive steps forward. We are so proud.

Medication, therapy, time, and an awful lot of patience (and heartache).

Best wishes to any of you still going through the worst of it. Keep hoping.

@TeenPlusCat
Yayyyy....I totally get the relief.
We had the same hurrah last Friday after a disastrous few years with MH and restarting Y12 at college in Sep.
Hope u have a restful half term.
Xx

Thanks.
It is so nice to be able to wave her off each day and then not to be worrying all day.

Another small update. DD has been completely off her fluoxetine for a month, and is not showing signs of missing it. 🙂

College is going well, but still tiring. Trying to work out what happens from July.

I'm a lurker here but so delighted to hear how your DD is progressing. Can I ask re fluoxetine - why did she decide to stop?

DD just turned 16 has been on a fairly low dose since she was 13 and as things begin to stabilise part of me wonders about her stopping before she flips into the last 2 years of school (we're abroad so no GSCE's which makes this year calmer than if we'd been in the UK). On one hand why rock the boat, on the other hand it was never planned for her to be on them for ever.

@NameChangeNameShange As her anxiety and depression has lifted she has had less need for the meds. She has had therapy alongside the meds which has addressed the underlying issues.
In 2021 she was on 40mg and we stepped down very gradually mainly in the summer holidays.
She occasionally takes propranolol for anxiety when things get a bit much.

Thanks so much
It plays on my mind the question of to stop or not stop . Good to hear of first hand experience

We only went down by 5mg at a time eg by alternating 30 and 20 doses. If she seemed to go back at all we reverted. Always doing this at a low stress time.

Thank you for your posts TeenPlusCat

So, DD has been clear of her main meds for 5 months . She sat her GCSE maths resit much more confidently than 2 years ago (still may not pass, but the sitting was a win) and has, we think, completed her Level 2 Diploma .

@TeenPlusCat
So pleased to hear things continue to be positive. You and DD should be so proud.
My DD wants to come off meds and is speaking to the psychiatrist on Monday
I am not sure we are out of the woods yet. I don't think the meds have helped much but equally I worry about her being off them and the journey of withdrawal.

Xx

Hope the appt went well. Did they decide to try reducing the meds?

@TeenPlusCat
No..the psychiatrist recommended she needed to be completely ok for atleast 2 months before we even think about tapering down.
To be honest, we aren't there yet. She recommended DD and I maintain a mood journal to track but DD has shown no initiative so I have not nudged her. The hot weather is making her miserable with the ssri but we are where we are
Hope your DD is continuing to do well?
Xx

I would think way more than 2 months stable.
Dd is doing OK thank you, managing life much better, but we stay watchful to make sure she doesn't get overwhelmed. Tales a lot of management.

4 years post y11 now. DD just passed her maths GCSE. Such resilience.

fab! Congratulations to DD

Ahhh @TeenPlusCat that is wonderful news. Congratulations to her.

Congratulations!

Love this thread OP, so much progress and DD is so lucky to have such a wonderfully supportive family.

A less good update today I'm afraid.

DD has just gone back onto her meds. We have had a difficult time with my DM unwell and me away a lot, added to starting a new course at the same time has all proved too much. I'm just hoping it can make a difference before she sinks too much.

@TeenPlusCat I am sorry to hear that. It must feel like a step backwards but the important thing is DD feels she is in control and this time around it isn't as horrible as the first time she started on it. Take care and I hope things settle soon.
Xx