Antidepressants for teenage daughter

[laurenoc7]

Trying to get antidepressants for my 16 year old daughter since she’s been extremely low the past few months and we’ve tried various therapies, counselling, CAMHS, etc for years with no luck. She recently took an overdose of paracetamol, which further solidifies the need for urgent support.

After some persistence, we were able to get an appointment with the local GP yesterday to discuss her mental health. He agreed that antidepressants were a good route, but since she’s under 18 she would have to get them prescribed through a psychiatrist! He advised that the NHS waitlist for one is over 14 months (she’d practically be an adult by then) so suggested going private (he is writing a referral letter over the next few days).

We’ve been looking around and found 1 or 2 reputable ones in the area, but they seem to have waitlists too. Given the urgency of the situation, we don’t quite know where to look or what to do. I have SimplyHealth insurance which may help cover the cost but we don’t have money to spare. If anyone has any suggestions or advice, that would be greatly appreciated :)

Do some seem to offer remote appointments? If so, you can access them all over the country and those in ‘cheaper’ areas may have cheaper appts. Otherwise does your insurer have a ‘find a psychiatrist’ function, and search over 100 miles and be prepared to travel. Good luck.

Sorry to hear about the overdose OP.
Did your daughter go to A&E for treatment?
If so, there should have been crisis team visit her there?
My daughter went through the same and after visit by crisis, we got seen by camhs soon.
I would definitely look to get private psychologist and psychiatrist support for her.
Even in private there is a waiting list.
I would start with a private paediatric referral, rule out any hormonal irregularities and then ask them to refer a psychiatrist.
That's the approach I took. We were seen by camhs but I am still waiting for private psychiatrist second opinion.

I hope you find some help.
It's an awful time for a parent when this happens.

Xx

I know it won't help as area specific but my 15 yo daughter was fast tracked up CAHMS to psychiatrist as it was her GCSE year (it wasn't, this year is). So you could see if school could apply some pressure - they probably have a CAMHS contact.

And she got ADs and they have made a world of difference. So good luck - hope you get help soon.

Hey there, thanks for the advice.

She didn’t go to A&E as she didn’t disclose the overdose until a few days later. The GP told us she wouldn’t need medical attention since she wasn’t feeling any symptoms about 3-4days after the od when she disclosed it.

She’s been through and got discharged from CAMHS a few years ago and she’d probably be an adult by the time they accept her again 😂

Thank you for the help though, will look into a paediatric referral xx

Thanks for the advice, daughter is going through mocks right now bless her :(

I could definitely mention this to the school but even they said themselves that chances are she’ll turn 18 before being accepted into CAMHS again. As well as the fact she’s already been through CAMHS before. That’s why we’re looking into a private psychiatrist possibly for a diagnosis and treatment x

We went through The Priory in 2020, there was still a 2 month delay with them. It wasn't cheap, there are follow up appts to be paid for, not just a one off. The NHS took over the prescription after the first lot.

DD has been on fluoxetine for 3 years now, initially at 40mg, but now self- reduced to 15mg.
The meds helped DD then access therapy etc.