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Teenagers

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

Has anyone's 16yr old being prescribed anti depressants?

10 replies

Maisymooster · 30/11/2020 18:31

My dd, like many others, has had a tough year. The exam fiasco, leaving school abruptly, starting college but not starting college as it was almost all online, I could go on but will stop there!
She's suffered with her mental health since primary school. Had 4 camhs referrals and private counseling over the years. Not that any of it has really helped. But I always thought she was ok and had improved until recently.
She's been very down but I assumed it was circumstancial. She's quit college so only working a part time job, applying for apprenticeships but still spends alot of time alone in her room. The last few weeks though she has hardly been sleeping and not eating much either. She's absolutely miserable all the time but with that brings vile behaviour. It's affecting our entire household and we are all struggling as a result. She is rude, screams, shouts and swears at us daily. Today she saw the GP and he's prescribed a sedative to help her sleep but if that doesn't work he said we will have to go down the anti depressant route. That scares me if I'm honest. I want her to be better because right now it's awful being near her and I don't know how much is bad behaviour and how much may be actual depression? She's always been a difficult teen. So if there's anyone else experiencing similar who has any advice I would love to hear from you.

OP posts:
NigellaAwesome · 01/12/2020 14:16

Is there any chance of getting more help from CAMHS? I am surprised a GP would be willing to prescribe ADs to under 18 - I thought that could only be a psychiatrist. A close relative was a clinical psychologist and had always said to me to try to avoid ADs for children as they don't really know what long-term impact there could be on brain development.

I don't really have much other advice, but wanted you to know you are not alone. My 15 yo DD is struggling with her mental health. She tried to kill herself a few weeks ago, and her mood is affecting everyone. She is aggressive and physically violent to our DS. I'm fed up tiptoeing round her and being fearful of what I am going to find when I wake her in the morning. DH is appalled that I am pissed off and angry. I feel manipulated by her, and that this is almost a badge of honour amongst her peer group. Flowers Gin

uggmum · 01/12/2020 14:22

My DD is older now. But when she was 15 she was medicated.

The CAHMS waiting list was too long and quite poor in our area.

We have private healthcare and she saw a private child psychologist who was great. He saw her on a few occasions before he prescribed medication.

She then saw him regularly for 18 months.

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 01/12/2020 14:30

One of my dc witnesses a murder.. He had help via school with his mh and was prescribed anti ds but didn't take them. At 26 he still sadly has mh problems.
What had helped him is family support - talking /not talking as per his mood. Acknowledging when he feels rubbish and not disregarding his down mode.
And his new hobby has been a big boost.
Tropical fish.
Who knew!?
Sadly we had no success with mh authorities back then but they have a lot more to offer young people now thankfully..

Lorw · 01/12/2020 20:44

I was prescribed fluoxetine at 15 as I was severely depressed and suicidal and for the most part they did lift my mood, and then when I hit 17 they just weren’t enough anymore, so they changed me to sertraline and I was a zombie, and slept 23 hours a day (literally) and made me more depressed, was really badly self harming and then I overdosed at 18 and ended up in hospital really unwell where I had to go cold turkey. After then I had to do counselling which helped and then I got my horse and a job shortly after coming out of hospital and at this point I wasn’t on any medication, I found having a routine, something to get up for in the morning ie work, somewhere to be and a horse was reliant on me made me get up and within a few months I was much better and could function properly.

It’s been a hard time for her and everyone this year so wouldn’t have made it any better. Does she have any hobbies she enjoys?

My step mum was a saint and supported me through it all, and didn’t judge me either when I already felt so shit about myself. Just support her, maybe counselling would help? It helped me, not everyone is the same and anti depressants may work for her you just don’t know, try a few things before that maybe if you’re nervous. Good luck and don’t worry it will be okay Smile

Maisymooster · 01/12/2020 21:57

Thank you for the answers. I'm sorry to hear of other's struggling it's very sad.
Dd took the sedative last night and slept. As I hoped she has been alot better today. I don't think this will be it but at least she hasn't shouted or sworn at me! In fact she has been quite pleasant and like her nornal old self. I hope it lasts and I hope that everyone gets the help they need.
Thank you 😊

OP posts:
corythatwas · 02/12/2020 09:13

Mine was prescribed ADs by CAHMS at 15 after it became clear that she was unable to engage with her therapy without them. They were holding out for her 15th birthday. She is still on them at 24- not because she is addicted but because she really is that ill that she can't function without them- she has tried and the results were not good.

The good bit is that she climbed out of the hole with their help, she did engage with therapy, she was able to go back to school and get her A-levels, she is about to graduate, she is living independently.

Having said that, like Nigella, I am surprised that a GP was prepared to prescribe ADs to such a young person without further psychiatrist input. There are side effects in many cases, and many adolescents need a holistic approach were meds are one factor in the equation.

Ohalrightthen · 02/12/2020 09:18

@corythatwas

Mine was prescribed ADs by CAHMS at 15 after it became clear that she was unable to engage with her therapy without them. They were holding out for her 15th birthday. She is still on them at 24- not because she is addicted but because she really is that ill that she can't function without them- she has tried and the results were not good.

The good bit is that she climbed out of the hole with their help, she did engage with therapy, she was able to go back to school and get her A-levels, she is about to graduate, she is living independently.

Having said that, like Nigella, I am surprised that a GP was prepared to prescribe ADs to such a young person without further psychiatrist input. There are side effects in many cases, and many adolescents need a holistic approach were meds are one factor in the equation.

This is basically exactly what happened to me.
Litthefirealready · 02/12/2020 09:25

My son was prescribed fluoxetine by Cahms when he was 15, due to depression and anxiety. They didn’t really work and was changed to sertraline a year later. These are working to a degree but he still has significant dips in his mental health. I was devastated that we had to resort to ad’s but am so glad now that he has a bit of relief.
We aren’t at the end of the road though and I wonder if ad’s will remain in his life for a long time.

lu9months · 06/12/2020 20:59

yes my son was, after his psychologist recommended we see a psychiatrist because he was so anxious and low he was struggling to engage with counselling. its not something a GP should do straight off, i wouldnt have thought. my son has found them immensely helpful.

Firstbornunicorn · 06/12/2020 21:05

No.

But I wish my mum had taken me to the doctor to at least discuss the possibility of it when I was 16.

You are doing the right thing, OP. Trust her doctor but don’t be afraid to raise concerns.

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