Anonymous wrote:For anxious kids who are activated on SSRIs, what have been successful alternatives?

Strattera

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lexapro is less activating

My child was quite activated on Lexapro, so all of them can be activating.

So was mine. It was really bad and that was the point where I realized that nothing I did to "suicide proof" my house would ever work. My son was also activated on Zoloft and something else that I am not recalling right now, but Lexapro was the worst for him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the genetic test to see which meds your child can tolerate. So much simpler than trial and error.

our psych said results were unreliable enough that it wasn't worth it - even if cost no issue.

Not true. After months of painful, dangerous trial and error with our child the genetic tests were able to guide us to an appropriate treatment. I wish I’d done that first. I was trying to save you similar heartache. I think your psychiatrist is misinformed.

I think it would be your doctor that is misinformed.

"experts with no financial interest in genetic testing have repeatedly recommended that genetic tests should not be used in choosing treatments for depression (see here and here). The American Psychiatric Association convened a task force that reviewed the evidence and agreed: the tests should not be ordered.

Recently, the FDA advised that the tests had no proven value and should not be used. Then they went two steps further, stating that use of the tests could lead to inappropriate treatment choices that might harm patients. "

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gene-testing-to-guide-antidepressant-treatment-has-its-time-arrived-2019100917964#:~:text=Currently%20available%20genetic%20test%20panels,yet%20apply%20in%20treating%20depression.

For anxious kids who are activated on SSRIs, what have been successful alternatives?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do the genetic test to see which meds your child can tolerate. So much simpler than trial and error.

our psych said results were unreliable enough that it wasn't worth it - even if cost no issue.

Not true. After months of painful, dangerous trial and error with our child the genetic tests were able to guide us to an appropriate treatment. I wish I’d done that first. I was trying to save you similar heartache. I think your psychiatrist is misinformed.

+1 on the genetic test. Our doctor warned us it's not really that accurate, but it turned out to be accurate for both of my kids (one we did genetic testing after a bad experience with SSRI), the other on an unrelated drug issue. Both kids have the reactions to those specified by the results including stuff we didn't care about (one of my kids, for example, has a weird reaction to benedryl which was noted on the test - we have known for years). We were glad to have the information, even if we agree it isn't perfect or somethings could be wrong.

Anonymous wrote:lexapro is less activating

My child was quite activated on Lexapro, so all of them can be activating.

Yes for me. Can't do SSRIs

lexapro is less activating

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, unfortunately that was our experience.

There are some non-SSRIs.

GL, getting medication sorted is a lengthy and exhausting process.

Not, OP, but going through something similar. Do you mind sharing what medication worked in your family? I know everyone is different but would love to hear some options that actually worked for people.

MY DC is on Lamictal now. There are no side effects. It's a mood stabilizer used more and more off-label for anxiety and depression. Not a magic bullet, but big improvement.

The rest is DBT and therapy.

Thank you. That was one of the meds that the dr recommended trying next so glad to hear it worked for your kid.

Where did you find therapist for DBT? Our therapist moved and we are feeling a little lost for next steps.

Montgomery County Counseling. They have DBT for tweens and teens.


https://mccounselingcenter.com

Thank you.

We are a few months in to trying meds for our child with anxiety as well as combined ADHD, and we are finding it tricky to get the right medication balance. No real answers or tips, just commiserating that it feels tough.

Anonymous wrote:Do the genetic test to see which meds your child can tolerate. So much simpler than trial and error.

our psych said results were unreliable enough that it wasn't worth it - even if cost no issue.

Do the genetic test to see which meds your child can tolerate. So much simpler than trial and error.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, unfortunately that was our experience.

There are some non-SSRIs.

GL, getting medication sorted is a lengthy and exhausting process.

Not, OP, but going through something similar. Do you mind sharing what medication worked in your family? I know everyone is different but would love to hear some options that actually worked for people.

MY DC is on Lamictal now. There are no side effects. It's a mood stabilizer used more and more off-label for anxiety and depression. Not a magic bullet, but big improvement.

The rest is DBT and therapy.

Thank you. That was one of the meds that the dr recommended trying next so glad to hear it worked for your kid.

Where did you find therapist for DBT? Our therapist moved and we are feeling a little lost for next steps.

Montgomery County Counseling. They have DBT for tweens and teens.


https://mccounselingcenter.com

Many kids can be activated on one and not others. I would not rule the whole class out of Zoloft is the first one you have tried.