Depression

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My teenage son is struggling with anxiety and depression we have been in contact with cahms, no use whatsoever as he’s not quite a child not quite an adult, been to gp basically said the same and to try a private psychiatrist ( where do I find one ) feel like I’m in quicksand watching him fall through the crack. He’s self harming, not sleeping, not eating and having suicidal thoughts!!!! Help

Could you ask your GP for a recommendation?

Ultimately, there's no actual cure for depression, just medication to numb the feeling, which his GP could prescribe.

Can’t prescribe for under 18 and couldn’t recommend anyone as it’s against practice to do so!!

Private clinic - The Priory for example. You’ll need a GP referral letter and either hv to pay or use private medical insurance.

Our GP prescribed AD's under 18.

Op, I have no answers I'm sorry but so sad to hear this and shocked at the poor state of mental health support and treatment for young people. With CAHMS under so much pressure with long lists and high thresholds for help, I don't understand why GPs can't prescribe for under 18s. I'd be interested to know why actually. I would maybe suggest making another appointment with a different GP to see if he can be directed elsewhere, urgently. Are you actually seeing / have seen CAHMS or are you on a waiting list?

We went through The Priory for our DD then aged 16, now 17.
Not cheap but 2 years on we are still waiting for CAMHS.

You don't need to be referred by a GP.
You can self refer. Look up the nearest private Mental Health Clinics.

We saw cahms came to home for urgent meeting basically said he’s in a grey area and waiting list is long, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

@DenholmElliot your statement re
numbing is totally wrong.
Depression is known to be caused by an imbalance of Neurotransmitters. Mainly Serotonin & Noradrenaline. Antidepressants help correct this.
Feeling numb can be a side effect.

Really don't bother with Camhs.
In my DS's experience they were actually dangerous.

They were adamant they couldn’t under nice advise, only way is through cahms who then refer to psychiatrist but waiting list is months and by then he’ll be an adult!!! I feel like I’m banging my head on a brick wall and I’m scared

If you can afford private then do. It cost us about 350 for first appt then 250 for follow ups. The meds made DD well enough to do therapy, and start the process of recovery.

I would go for ADs, I know not everyone wants to do down that route but a low dose can pull anyone out of a funk and I would've thought your son just needs a pick up and then you could go down the therapy route if you/he feels the need

I know the guidelines are not to prescribe anti depressants to under 18's and many GP's do stick to this. However by persisting you may find a GP who will help. You don't say how old your son is? But we went on the camhs waiting list when my dd was 16 and after some ineffective counselling we were getting nowhere. Once she turned 17 I managed to see a GP with lots of experience and who was willing to prescribe. At this point dd had lost over 4 stone in weight and struggling to even maintain personal hygiene. The GP has been brilliant although it's not been plain sailing - the medication is not a magic fix and takes time to work plus some side effects but seen as we are still waiting for camhs I am hopeful this will help in the meantime. Like you OP I suspect DD will be 18 by the time we reach the top of the list.