- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Pin this Topic for Current User
- Follow
- Printer Friendly Page
Medication Dilemma
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi MOC1,
From what you are saying about this situation I think I would try the double dose first as your son is already on this medication and possibly the side effects are not new to him. As you don't know if these new meds will work appropriately it might be worth the wait till after these exams.
Has you son had any success with cognitive or any other therapies?
Jack
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi Jack,
He is currently seeing a psychologist weekly who he really likes. I think the psychologist is using CBT with him. He is definitely giving him lots of strategies in the areas which he is struggling.
There has been an improvement is his overall mood since the weekend and school holidays are looming so the stress of school is diminishing at least for the moment. I think that his medication also may also be starting to kick in. Fingers (and toes) crossed. My son decided to stick with his current medication due to the uncertainty of side effects of a new one and also the 4 plus week wait until it kicks in. "Brain fog' is what is really frustrating him because it is really affecting his ability to focus / concentrate at school therefore affecting his marks etc. How long does this usually last or will he have it indefinitely while he is on medication? It's all very frustrating for him but at least he is now smiling occasionally.
We are off to see the GP in 2 days time for a follow-up plus a massage tomorrow. I've been told that they can be quite beneficial so he will give it a try.
Thanks for your comments jack, they are much appreciated.
- Mark as New
- Follow Post
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Post
Hi MOC,
I'm sorry to hear about your son. But I admire you for getting so involved in his treatment and trying different avenues.
Anti Depressants such as SSRI's quite commonly lead to this brain fog that you have mentioned, trouble concentrating, generally flat affect. These side effects can change depending on the medication and the individual. Many people have to experiment for a long time before finding a medication that works for them. It would be best to consult with your GP or a psychiatrist about these issues.
The problem with anti depressants is that although they make the issue less noticeable, the issue remains. While they are a useful tool in levelling out the low points, they will also make it hard to feel the highs and joys in life, the kind of emotions that are a buffer against depression. They can result in a kind of flat, detached state where the individual doesn't just avoid sadness, but struggles to feel anything at all.
It is likely that your son's depression is psychological or cognitive issue rather than an imbalance in hormones, as such the best course of action from my point of view would be to continue working with your psychologist to target problematic thought patterns, dig down to the root of the problem and develop resilience, so that eventually in the future, your son will be able to cope and flourish without the need for medication. I personally wouldn't encourage a long term reliance on anti-depressants in any but the most extreme cases. However it sounds like you already know this and have taken steps towards a diverse treatment plan for your son, which is exactly what you should be doing.
Best wishes,
Sawyer