19 year old daughter depressed and anxious

[Lemieux7]

My daughter has been struggling with her mental health for quite some time and her panic attacks go back to when she was doing her A levels and before. She did very well in her A levels and passed her first year at university with no problems. The panic attacks have got worse. She's also constantly ruminating.

In our family, we do have a lot of anxiety and depression. I had frequent bouts of mental health breaks until I started taking sertraline.

I went with my daughter to the GP to help her if she needed me. The GP is understandably concerned about prescribing antidepressants because of the link between young adults and suicidal thoughts. The NHS offers very little these days.

I am worried about her going back to uni whilst she's feeling unwell.

Is anyone going through similar or have any advice?

I am so sorry she is going through this, anxiety is so debilitating.
Personally, antidepressants did help, but the side effects were just too much.
Over the past few years I have stopped medication and taken up morning yoga, meditation and mindfulness. This has helped me massively. It's incredible what being aware of your feelings and focusing on your breathing can do.
I also write in a journal now which is very cathartic.
I'd very much recommend her taking a CBT course which you can do on the NHS.
A book by Joshua Fletcher called anxiety: panicking about panic is very good and helps explain the physiological side of stress and anxiety.
Sending hugs, I hope some of these things help x

Thank you so much for your reply. I have ordered the book that you've recommended. I wonder if I can get her to book into yoga classes. Thanks again.

Youre so welcome x
It might be a good idea to start off with some 10 minute guided yoga or meditation on you tube. Yoga with Adriene is good, she's very calm. Or sesrch you tube for morning yoga, they're usually really gentle and calm.
Sending hugs x

Thank you. I'm not keen for her to go back to uni until she's feeling better. I'm considering a private psychiatry appointment because she would like to try medication as part of treatment. Perhaps they will be more confident about how to do this than a GP.