Anonymous
04/28/2024 21:05
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:She can always stop right? She’s not required to keep taking it if she doesn’t like it.
I wish this were true but all of these medications have terrible withdrawal symptoms.
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.
Anonymous
04/28/2024 21:00
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
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.
Anonymous
04/28/2024 20:47
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
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.
I have an anxious teen who probably needs meds and I’m looking for some anecdotes of success.
Anonymous
12/10/2023 11:21
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. DD is consenting but is understandably nervous about the side effects. I am adamant that we address her anxiety because she is suffering. But I gave her the choice of CBT and mindfulness or medication. We discussed her concerns about both and she chose the latter. We have a prescription now but she hasn’t started it yet. She wants to wait until the break because she has a bunch of exams and performances coming up (she’s a dancer).
Her experience with therapy has been lousy. It didn’t help and made her more anxious because it required her to miss school or dance. Plus we couldn’t afford it and it put a lot of strain on the family. If it brought her relief we’d find a way, but it wasn’t worth it to her. I hope she will be more receptive to it in the future but now it’s a hard no for her.
OP, start the meds NOW because it takes 2-3 weeks at the earliest to kick in. Any side effects will be during her break and she will be in a better place starting the dreary Jan/Feb time of the year.
Also start Magnesium TODAY
Can you share the link to the magnesium that you used? There are so many out there, it’s hard to know what’s good.
Not the PP but…
Based on current data, magnesium taurate and glycinate have the most research supporting their effects on anxiety and other mental health disorders
Can you share which how strong? I’ve found gummies for 100mg, 200mg and 400mg.
Anonymous
12/10/2023 01:58
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
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.
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.
Anonymous
12/09/2023 16:03
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My daughter was diagnosed with anxiety and depression at 15. At the time it was big anxiety, resulting in self-harm, and depression to a lesser extent.
She did about 15mo of therapy alone before deciding it was time to try medication.
Prozac has little to no side effects for missed doses (withdrawl), which is why our pediatrician recommends trying it first with teens. The only side effect my daughter noticed (and it was very noticeable!) was muscle twitching. Unfortunately, it didn't work well for her, so she had to taper off and then started Lexapro. This was one of the hardest times for us. She was hopeless and worried that the next thing wouldn't work either. She was at an all-time low for that period of time.
Lexapro worked well for awhile for her, but caused weight gain and maybe some hormone changes and sports performance decreased.
She then had a major depressive episode, which prompted a change to Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin, which is a different drug class (not a SSRI) has been working very well for depression, but we were told it really doesn't touch anxiety. So she is still on a very small dose of Lexapro. She has no complaints about side effects and has lost the extra weight.
There are so many different responses to these medications, but my kid is definitely in a better place medicated than not.
Good luck~ I know this journey is hard!
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.
Anonymous
12/09/2023 12:05
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:My daughter was diagnosed with anxiety and depression at 15. At the time it was big anxiety, resulting in self-harm, and depression to a lesser extent.
She did about 15mo of therapy alone before deciding it was time to try medication.
Prozac has little to no side effects for missed doses (withdrawl), which is why our pediatrician recommends trying it first with teens. The only side effect my daughter noticed (and it was very noticeable!) was muscle twitching. Unfortunately, it didn't work well for her, so she had to taper off and then started Lexapro. This was one of the hardest times for us. She was hopeless and worried that the next thing wouldn't work either. She was at an all-time low for that period of time.
Lexapro worked well for awhile for her, but caused weight gain and maybe some hormone changes and sports performance decreased.
She then had a major depressive episode, which prompted a change to Wellbutrin. Wellbutrin, which is a different drug class (not a SSRI) has been working very well for depression, but we were told it really doesn't touch anxiety. So she is still on a very small dose of Lexapro. She has no complaints about side effects and has lost the extra weight.
There are so many different responses to these medications, but my kid is definitely in a better place medicated than not.
Good luck~ I know this journey is hard!
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.
Anonymous
12/08/2023 20:57
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
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.
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.
Anonymous
12/08/2023 20:11
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
My ds has been on Prozac since just before he turned 10. He’s now almost 13. I am 100% sure he’d be dead now if we hadn’t sought medication. He had been in therapy for two years prior. He has been to three different therapists and the one he sees now is leaps and bounds better than who he saw before.
I wouldn’t do medication without therapy for a kid.
I wouldn’t do medication without therapy for a kid.
Anonymous
12/08/2023 19:41
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Go find Dr. Amen online. He gives a lot of alternative options
That said, she is a junior in high school and is in crisis mode. Start the meds NOW to get her back to a baseline because even the meds take a few weeks to kick in. And then therapy and alternative options can work and then wean her off of the meds in June and see how she does in the summer
Also echoing the Magnesium Glycinate that someone mentioned. It's a game changer for anxiety and that actually works quicker than SRRI's. So does Ashwa. So if you are really against the meds, try them.
And get her light therapy and send her to yoga
What magnesium and Ashwa meds do you use? I’m anti meds and want to try them for my anxious daughter.
Are you anti-meds with every illness or just the ones that are not totally understood yet?
Anonymous
12/08/2023 17:32
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:OP here. DD is consenting but is understandably nervous about the side effects. I am adamant that we address her anxiety because she is suffering. But I gave her the choice of CBT and mindfulness or medication. We discussed her concerns about both and she chose the latter. We have a prescription now but she hasn’t started it yet. She wants to wait until the break because she has a bunch of exams and performances coming up (she’s a dancer).
Her experience with therapy has been lousy. It didn’t help and made her more anxious because it required her to miss school or dance. Plus we couldn’t afford it and it put a lot of strain on the family. If it brought her relief we’d find a way, but it wasn’t worth it to her. I hope she will be more receptive to it in the future but now it’s a hard no for her.
OP, start the meds NOW because it takes 2-3 weeks at the earliest to kick in. Any side effects will be during her break and she will be in a better place starting the dreary Jan/Feb time of the year.
Also start Magnesium TODAY
Can you share the link to the magnesium that you used? There are so many out there, it’s hard to know what’s good.
Not the PP but…
Based on current data, magnesium taurate and glycinate have the most research supporting their effects on anxiety and other mental health disorders
Anonymous
12/08/2023 17:16
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:OP here. DD is consenting but is understandably nervous about the side effects. I am adamant that we address her anxiety because she is suffering. But I gave her the choice of CBT and mindfulness or medication. We discussed her concerns about both and she chose the latter. We have a prescription now but she hasn’t started it yet. She wants to wait until the break because she has a bunch of exams and performances coming up (she’s a dancer).
Her experience with therapy has been lousy. It didn’t help and made her more anxious because it required her to miss school or dance. Plus we couldn’t afford it and it put a lot of strain on the family. If it brought her relief we’d find a way, but it wasn’t worth it to her. I hope she will be more receptive to it in the future but now it’s a hard no for her.
It sounds like you're taking the right things into consideration and both giving your DD voice as well as being clear that something has to be tried because she's not ok. Sounds like you're doing the right things. Even your original post to me sounded like a good question but also understandable (and I'd argue) "healthy anxiety" about starting a 14 yr old on SSRIs. I hope things go well and she gets to a baseline where she can titrate off the meds completely. Good luck OP!
Anonymous
12/08/2023 17:13
Subject: Anxious about Starting Lexapro for Anxiety
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I just want to say not to pressure your daughter into making this decision. My mother basically forced me onto SSRIs when I was 14 because I was "making her life hell". I was a straight A student with a job who never caused any trouble but I was moody and anxious and hated my school. I've been on and off these drugs all my life and I wonder if something got rewired by starting them so young. It should be her decision.
Doesn’t it seem at least as likely that (1) mental health issues run on your family bc your mom clearly had them and/or (2) your upbringing caused your mental health problems? Blaming the SSRIs doesn’t seem logically sound - you’re blaming a symptom, not the cause(s).
NP - you're missing the point PP. Whatever issues the mom of the PP you're replying to had, that PP felt like they didn't need to be on meds. Sometimes one's moodiness and hatred of school is all based on totally reasonable, understandable conditions. And moodiness in teens is also so common without any mental health issues. Raising teens is hard for most parents, so maybe this PP's mom just couldn't handle it or had her own mental health issues and projected them onto her DD who then was forced to take meds that maybe she didn't need. And she's struggled to be free of them ever since it sounds like.
14 is old enough to definitely have the DD/DS's thoughts on going on meds be sought and weighed into final decisions that parents and therapists may make. And giving a teen an opportunity to try other approaches is important unless they are in crisis right now. OP sounds like they've tried to get their DD to try other things, she hasn't wanted to, but now is willing to try meds. Sounds like OP IS taking her DD's opinion into serious consideration, and that's good.
PP who was forced into it and felt like you didn't have the mental health issues your mom was upset about, I'm sorry that happened to you.