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adhd and sertraline?

9 replies

Bargello · 19/01/2024 15:52

Firstly I am not sure I have posted this thread in the right place so apologies if I've got it wrong.

My elder son is 21 in a couple of months. He has always been a quirky and "odd" child, lacking in social skills but very clever. He's in his third year at university. In 2021 he was diagnosed with dyspraxia which came as no surprise to anyone who has ever seen his handwriting, experienced his lack of organisation or his 4 failed driving tests. He has subsequently been diagnosed with inattentive style ADHD - he isn't hyperactive, can be impulsive. His ADHD is not medicated.

He has struggled ever since his last two years at school, his exams were wrecked by Covid and he spent all of his first year of university in his bedroom as it was all online. He has always struggled with social skills and is not into the pub or clubbing, much happier playing D&D or board games and that all stopped in Covid. He has had periods of being very down, tendencies to catastrophise and doubt himself hugely.

He saw the GP a week ago after voicing concerns about his mental state, thoughts of hurting himself. The good thing is that he will talk to us about this. Had a return visit today and has been prescribed sertraline. He is hoping that the sertraline will help with his general mood and give him the "oomph" to address the other issues. I am concerned that the GP is just fobbing him off with the easiest thing to prescribe. He is seeing a counsellor weekly at Uni to help with the practicalities of studying and revision, and all his clubs and societies have started back this week so he has more of a routine.

Does anyone have experience in sertraline being offered to treat a combination of ADHD and depression? I am probably biased in that the same GP refused to believe I was menopausal and prescribed folic acid when what I really needed was oestrogen.

OP posts:
Eightotwo · 19/01/2024 20:05

My DD is autistic and has just had a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD. She takes sertraline for anxiety and it has been amazing. We haven’t had any talks on medicating the ADHD though.

Bargello · 19/01/2024 22:35

I am really really hoping it works for him. Along with the other things he is doing. He is communicating well with us and quite open about how he's feeling which is good. I think if he can get on top of the anxiety and general listlessness that he will be in a better place to tackle the ADHD symptoms.

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azteccandle · 20/01/2024 18:39

I think it’s quite a common prescription for teens suffering with ASD or ADHD related anxiety and depression. It takes a while to become effective and he has probably been started on a low dose. I would encourage him to see a GP at uni (or talk to his counsellor) if he’s not seeing any benefits after six weeks or so.

Bargello · 20/01/2024 18:44

Thank you @azteccandle . He has weekly appointments with a counsellor at uni but this is more about practical accommodations and adjustments than therapy/medical style counselling. But he likes his counsellor and feels he can talk to him. He has a repeat visit to GP on 31 Jan. Seems quite chirpy today.

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CadyEastman · 21/01/2024 20:26

Does he get DSA? DS also has inattentive ADHD and has a study mentor which he has found helpful.

DC2 is on the pathway and has Sertraline which they've found helpful.

Bargello · 21/01/2024 22:09

I don't think after googling that DSA is a "thing" in Scotland. He does have a formal diagnosis for his ADD and dyspraxia though, and has regular meetings with a counsellor from the university's disability and wellbeing service. This has given him access to software, special dispensation for exams and other help.

Three days into the sertraline and he says he is feeling OK. None of the side effects he was worried about so far. This is what worried me the most as I was given another SSRI a few years ago when I really should have been given HRT (a WHOLE other thread) and I was so unwell on it, jittery, jaw clenching, insomnia, so that really concerned me. But he seems OK so fingers crossed we have a good week.

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CadyEastman · 22/01/2024 07:35

I reacted really badly to one SSRO but was fine when I had to take Sertraline first a few months.

Motheranddaughter · 23/01/2024 19:45

You sound like a great Mum
It has been so difficult for this cohort
He has your support which is so important

Bargello · 23/03/2024 15:16

Just popping on with an update in case anyone else finds themselves in a similar situation. DS was started on the lowest dose of sertraline - 50 mg I think - and was on that about 6 weeks. Felt it was having some effect. GP then upped the dose to 100 mg and he's been on that about 3 weeks.

Definitely more chirpy and more inclined to do things like staying in uni to study with friends instead of being desperate to get straight home and back to his bedroom. Not as angry and cross about life, none of the side effects we were concerned about.

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