I did not read threads after the first page. Just want to share my son started on Lexapro about 18 mos ago when he was 15 for “social anxiety”. He is very thin and it did not cause any weight gain. He said he did not feel side effects. He is 6 ft about 140 lbs. He started on half 5 mg pill then gradually ramped up to 5 mg over a few weeks. In the beginning was more chatty and pleasant but then he sort of leveled into his quiet self.
When we started the med finding a therapist was scarce through our network. the one we had canceled all of the time. He started seeing someone 4 mos ago for 45 min each week. He says it helps and may go down to every other week. He has been moody and tired the past month. We started questioning if it was the medication. Turns out he had stopped cold turkey without telling us. It was withdrawal. He seems to be doing ok. I was personally disappointed that he stopped taking it without consulting us. We had a big discussion that this medication had to be ramped up and down properly. He took adhd medication when he was younger and he stopped it abruptly so we wanted him to understand that this medication was different. He seems ok. We are getting a full neuropsych in a few months to address some issues but overall ok. He felt it worked for him when he needed it and no longer needed it. |
Would you please say more about the decrease in sports performance and hormonal changes. DD would be okay with some weight gain but not okay with decreased athleticism in her dance. |
The hormonal stuff is tricky because she also has other endocrine issues and medications. There was some improvement as Lexapro was reduced, but another primary cause was found. The weight gain is more reliable as related to the Lexapro because with the decrease to a tiny dose, she lost the weight. The sport is speed-based and having the extra weight slowed her down, and there is some evidence Lexapro can decrease reaction time. |
My DS had crippling anxiety that was not abating much with CBT. It was really interfering with life and causing near daily meltdowns. He is on the autism spectrum and a lot of the anxiety had to do with rigidity of thinking, freaking out over unknown or not routine things, etc. There was so much stuff he couldn’t enjoy.
With great trepidation we started him on Lexapro. It was nothing short of transformational. Sometimes I still marvel at how calm and flexible he is. He seems a lot happier and is doing so much stuff I never could have imagined before, like going to camps where he doesn’t know anyone or what exactly will happen, etc Why Lexapro? Because I had started it in my 40’s, for depression and anxiety. I often wonder what my life might have been like if I’d started it much earlier. I also think my parents’ alcoholism was them self medicating. We both have had some weight gain on it which is a bummer but preferable to the crying and screaming. |
Can you share which how strong? I’ve found gummies for 100mg, 200mg and 400mg. |
I’m reviving this thread because I’m curious how the OP’s dd is doing now?
I have an anxious teen who probably needs meds and I’m looking for some anecdotes of success. |
My nephew has been on Zoloft for 3 years. He is 18 and he is in such a better place now. At 15, we would never have dreamed he would go to college. He was in a bad place. Now he is so much better. |
Not necessarily so, especially if she hasn't used it for long. It's not recommended to stop cold turkey, but titrating down usually works fine. |