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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Treatment for teen boy with depression

14 replies

SecondhandRose · 15/03/2013 13:05

My son who is 17 has been seeing his GP for depression but she refuses to prescribe any type of anti depressant due to "the increased suicide risk in teenage boys". My son is not at all well and I really don't know what to do next. Does anyone have a teenage son who does take anti depressants.

OP posts:
summer111 · 15/03/2013 16:15

If your GP is refusing to prescribe anti-d's and you feel he is not making any progress in his recovery, I 'd either see another GP or alternatively ask your GP to refer him to CAMHS where meds can be prescribed by a psychiatrist. This is especially so if his depression is impacting on his ability to function. He would also be eligible for talking therapy which combined with anti depressant medication, is clinically most effective.
Best of luck.

TinkBelle · 15/03/2013 22:36

SecondhandRose, I am sorry to hear about your son. His GP is being extra-cautious by the sounds of it, which isn't helping him. I agree with summer111 re seeking alternatives, but given how long it takes for a CAMHS appointment I think the sooner you seek a referral the better. CAMHS is Child & Adolescent Mental Health in case you are unaware. Personally I wouldn't waste time seeking the view of another GP - I think it is better to go to those who have specific expertise in the case of mental health. If the GP is unwilling to refer, I understand his school or college can do so. Good luck.

dusty05 · 15/03/2013 23:12

I have a teenage son (17) who has been on anti-depressants for just over a year. He is under a psychiatrist at CAMHS and it was through them that medication was prescribed. Referral was via GP and we were seen after about six weeks.
It is such a difficult thing to cope with, and even on medication and with regular CBT life is hard for my ds and the whole family. But things are better than they were.
Keep fighting to get a referral ASAP. We found CAMHS to be very supportive and helpful.
Sorry you are going through this - I'm not sure there's much help for us parents but my ds has been very well looked after, which is the main thing.
Chin up and keep going...

mindfulmum · 16/03/2013 08:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SecondhandRose · 16/03/2013 10:09

He is 18 next week, yesterday we had a better day. School have said he can complete his course over another year. He is taking 6 subjects. He will do 3 this May and the other 3 in either November or May 2014. This is a great lifeline for him.

Yesterday he was given an ultimatum by school about one piece of work that needed to be in and he managed to do it with 5 minutes to spare.

He has an oral test on Tuesday afternoon that he needs to prepare for.

He has been invited to a party tonight and he has said he is going. We are going to a quiz which I know he will prefer to go to but he says he is off to the party which is good as he hasn't socialised in weeks. He has also said he needs a haircut which again is a good sign.

We have the GP on Monday, I will see what she says.

OP posts:
mindfulmum · 16/03/2013 12:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
SecondhandRose · 16/03/2013 12:44

Hi Mindful, no he is doing the IB. Not really thought about the birthday much, he doesn't really go out the house!

OP posts:
dusty05 · 16/03/2013 13:34

It sounds like school are being supportive, which is great. Also, if he manages to socialise a bit, that is really positive. As your ds is virtually 18 he won't go to CAMHS I think. However, a clued up GP can make all the difference. The opinion of our psychiatrist is that the increased suicide risk can be mitigated by close supervision of medication. We are seen every two weeks by the GP and psychiatrist in turn, and I know who to contact in an emergency.
We don't think about birthdays either! It is such a tough time in their lives anyway, being ill with depression really doesn't help, but there is support out there. Good luck with seeing your GP.

ReallyTired · 16/03/2013 13:39

My son has severe anxiety and at the age of eleven there is no chance of medication. Ds is getting help from an NHS pychologist.

I hope your son gets the help that he needs. It is brutal how little help that children get who have mental illness.

mindfulmum · 16/03/2013 21:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Coffeenowplease · 20/03/2013 23:11

Do push for meds if you and he think they might help. I was on drugs which not really recommended for my age at all but I was perscribed them by a psychiatrist and they worked for me. Its a case of weighing up the pros and cons really.

Original poster
SecondhandRose · 22/03/2013 07:36

GP has supported a split programme for the IB exams, he is taking 3 in May and the other 3 either in November or next May. He is much happier. Thanks for your support everyone.

OP posts:
pillpoppermum · 23/03/2013 12:02

my son took setraline for ocd and anxiety when he was 13 for 18 months. He was fine on the antidepressant- his ocd had got so bad we didnt feel we had a choice but to put him on them. The medication really helped him.

Julianic · 10/02/2016 18:45

Help! Does anyone have a teenage son with OCD? Please can you help with any useful information, our family life is in turmoil and he refuses to sleep in his room anymore as he is terrified of mould spores and believes the paintwork is lead so toxic. He was assessed by CAMSH at 17 who told us 'its not serious' and that when he turned 18 they could no longer help anyway. The worst thing is how its affecting his younger siblings who cannot believe their big brother is behaving in such an odd way.

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