Any tips for dealing with paranoia for my 15 yo dd?

[thornrose]

My dd became depressed in October. It happened quite suddenly but it was no real surprise, she has AS and other issues that have contributed.

I took her to GP who referred her to CAMHS.

She started to get a bit paranoid. Little things, like feeling I didn't really love her, that people were laughing at her etc. It came to a head on Christmas Eve when she thought there were people outside talking about her so I took her back to the GP who prescribed Sertraline.

Her paranoia is now really bad. If we go out she thinks everyone is looking at her and gets very agitated.

She feels the man who lives upstairs is laughing at her or thinking bad thoughts about her. She thinks people at school are thinking bad things about her and judging her, even when she is at home!

I can help her to rationalise it but it's constant and draining, for us both. She can see on one level that it isn't real but it takes a while to get through.

Sorry for the long post but does anyone have experience or any tips on what helped them cope with these thoughts?

Anyone? We're really struggling today.

I would take her back to your gp and revise her medication, sounds like she needs to try something different. I hope you find something that works well for her, paranoia is horrid

Has she seen CAMHS yet?

A degree of paranoia can be common in severe depression, and it sounds like your poor dd is really suffering.

Ime (I've suffered from severe depression, including paranoia, on and off since I was a teen) the GP might want to try a different ad, but will probably want an urgent referral to psychiatry, either through CAMHS or directly. She might need different medication, or additional meds to help the paranoia and agitation. I found cbt useful in keeping thoughts and feelings under control.

She must feel so scared and alone, but she is lucky to have a lovely mum looking out for her. This can be dealt with, don't worry (though I know you will!!).

I would echo the others - take her back to the doctor to revise her meds. I have a DD on Sertraline. she was on a different med to begin with which didn't help and bad side effects. She found Sertraline much better - she has very different symptoms of depression to your DD.

Is she having weekly sessions with CAMHS yet?

Thanks for replies.

CAMHS have referred her on to a Young Peoples service in our area and have had no involvement. She is being assessed by them for counselling.

She has had cbt in the past for health anxiety and it was very successful. I am trying the same techniques we learned but it's not working very well.

We have seen 2 different GPs and they seem totally unconcerned about the paranoia. I think I will have to take her back.

Sorry that's what I meant...whether she was having CBT yet. I'm pleased it worked for the anxiety. I would defo go back to the GP...good luck

My confused face is at CAMHS for not even seeing her! I can't believe they just passed her case on without even talking to her. Oh well!

Thanks bobs, all the best for your dd too.

I think that is the way it works. DD was referred to CAMHS and then after a phone call to ascertain her needs/problems referred to a young persons' centre local to us for CBT. I gather she will get 6 sessions initially and then if she needs more will be placed on a waiting list.