Antidepressants for teenagers?

[Jsp]

I'm 17 and have been suffering from anxiety disorder for quite a while now. The usual racing heart beat, palpitations, dizziness/light headedness, tension headaches, sometimes brought on by some specific stimuli but often for no particular reason at all. I get depressed and teary often too for no reason (this could be linked to my anxiety though).

I was given counselling months ago, for the counsellor to tell me to see my school counsellor. I went to my school counsellor to be told the other counsellor seemed to have fobbed me off, and she is unable to give the long-term, in-depth counselling which I require, and to go back to my doctor. I saw my doctor last week who said will refer me for counselling again, but there are no forms available yet so I will have to wait a while for that, plus counselling waiting lists are TOO long!

At the start of my anxiety my doctor prescribed me with 10mg of Propranolol to help with some of my symptoms, and said she didn't really want to put me on antidepressants as they can be addictive. These didn't really help me though, they stopped my heart racing but I felt like I couldn't breathe (I'm asthmatic) and like I was going to faint, so I discontinued taking them (my doctor said that it was fine to do so). I've temporarily been on 2mg of Diazepam before coming down from a panic attack, which seemed to help a small amount, not much though. Just made me sleepy more than anything.

My old doctor has left so now I am seeing a nurse practitioner who does all the same things a doctor would do and can even prescribe medication. She seems really lovely and helpful. I have an appointment booked for Friday at 9.50am, as my anxiety symptoms just seem to be getting a lot worse. I'm thinking of asking her about antidepressants but I'm not sure how to go about it .

I know some doctors don't like it when you ask for medication, but I just aren't feeling any better and don't feel like I can cope any more, plus I have to wait a long while for counselling, which will take about three months (according to my doctor) to start working anyway. I've heard that medication paired with therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorder.

I just don't want to go in and come out with nothing to help while I'm in this state, just being told to "keep calm" which is impossible when my symptoms are uncontrollable! I've tried my best using relaxation techniques, herbal medicines, meditation and stuff for the meantime but nothing helps.

How should I go about asking for antidepressants or something else which may help? Do doctors seem to hate this or is it just me thinking that?

Any help or advice would be great .

[JaneC]

Hi Jsp, I'm sorry you're not getting anywhere with counselling, I have had similar problems with my son, who is also 17, and has eating problems.

There are special guidelines about prescribing antidepressants for under-18s but you should definitely speak to the nurse about the possibility. Perhaps you could introduce the subject by saying you are a member of this forum and a lot of people here seem to take antidDs - is there a possibility that you might benefit from them?

Anti-depressants are NOT addictive by the way, although you can suffer from "discontinuation" problems when you stop taking them. It isn't the same thing though.

Can't believe they prescribed propranolol for someone who is asthmatic either!

Do please find a way to bring this up with the nurse and see what she says - can't do any harm. Maybe you would ultimately have to speak to a doc in this instance.

Good luck and please tell us how you get on xx

[dan1234]

I think a nurse will be far more reluctant to prescribe anti depressants. You really need to see a doctor - not nurse bashing - but GP's are far more experienced in mental health conditions. Nurses can't independently prescribe diazepam for anxiety.

Does your area have a CAHMS service? They may prescribe you prozac which can be used for under 18's.

How are your parents financially - could you afford to see a psychiatrist privately. They are more willing to prescribe off licence, and then your GP/ nurse practitioner will continue prescribing the medication. This seems the best idea to me if you can afford it.

Dan

[Jsp]

Yeah, I know the nurse practitioner is able to prescribe all medication but I'm just not sure where she stands on them personally, as she's new to the surgery. At the moment it's not possible to speak to a doctor as my doctor is no longer at my surgery.

I'll ask about it when I go to see her tomorrow, she seems lovely so I'm hoping she will give me just some help and advice at least. I'll say about medication with counselling as the counsellor I had before said this was one of the best routes to take and recommended it to me. Anyway it's not like I'm ridiculously young, I'm 17, only a year younger than 18 haha. I know people younger than me and of similar ages who have been put on medication for anxiety.

What is a CAHMS service? I've never heard of that before.

And we're not very well off so I don't think my mum will be able to afford to see a psychiatrist :(

[dan1234]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_a...ealth_Services

You will be seen by a consultant psychiatrist - and probably have CBT + medication.

A GP is free to prescribe you medication off licence it is just their risk which they are unlikely to take... hence seeing a psychiatrist.

I would be very worried if a nurse practitioner decided to prescribe you antidepressants. Unless they come from a mental health background.

---------- Post added at 15:02 ---------- Previous post was at 14:56 ----------

http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealt...hoincamhs.aspx

[Jsp]

By the looks of it I don't have one of them places near me which is a shame :/

I'll see what happens and will keep you updated. I have my appointment tomorrow morning so I'll post what happens when I'm home.

[dan1234]

I am pretty sure you will do - just ask a referral to a specialist if she doesn't prescribe.

[Jsp]

According to the CAMHS website they only have support for the areas in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich. I live in Essex so it is quite a fair amount away.

[dan1234]

That is just one example it is a national thing - I just googled essex camhs and this is what came up. http://www.see.nhs.uk/content.asp?page_id=584

[Jsp]

Oh really! Silly me haha. Will have a look around the internet for more info