Medication feedback for treatment of depression in boy

amother

Natural

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 5:12 pm

Hello all,

I'm interested in hearing feedback in regards to prescription antidepressants, natural remedies and the such for treatment of depression in kids. My DS who is 8 yrs old is showing signs of depression. I'm leary about him starting an SSRI because of the black box warning of suicidality. He will be going to psychotherapy but I want to find an OTC remedy to take the edge off until things can get sorted out.

JMM-uc

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 7:37 pm

How bad is the depression? Unless it's major clinical depression and not situational, please please don't take this route.

If you and your Dr do decide this is appropriate for him, I can give you my own personal experience with the antidepressant zoloft.

Zoloft was AMAZING for depression, it doesn't make you happy or 'high' you just feel normal again, a bit more hopeful than you were before. It's truly amazing. Everyone reacts differently and since my primary issue wasn't depression but anxiety and one of the side effects for me (note this differs from person to person) was anxiety, I had to stop taking it.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

amother

Brown

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 7:39 pm

JMM-uc wrote:

Zoloft is an SSRI.

sourstix

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 8:39 pm

yes I am so wary when pp tell me their 8 yr old child is depressed. its so upsetting first of all. and why do you think its depression? has he been saying things to make you think so? what are his symptoms? please dont go that route only and only if nothing else works. my personal experience here. it almost makes them into zombies. they hardly feel or reason. its only in a case where there is no other option. as an adult taking these medications its hard can you imagine it on a child? really I hope this isnt the first thing being tried. I cant even describe how I feel now. please there are exercises he can do and ffishoil he can take that is scientifically proven to help. is he between other kids? I just am so upset about it. I dont even know you but feel for your son. I hope I was able to help. please do some research before you go on. I cant imagine a child this age having clinical depression something isnt sitting right here. please rethink what is going on here. sometimes children go on antibiotics and they have these down moods from it. it can happen. please speak with a good pediatrician. I know I am going down on you. but this is very serious. I cant see a child that probably has nothing wrong with him probably just needs a lot more love and being medicated. its disheartening.

amother

Ivory

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 8:43 pm

Depression symptoms in children can be very tricky to tease out for the source. Sometimes what seems like depression could be ADHD. Or a mood disorder. Or the after effects of trauma or abuse. Or anxiety. As a mom who has BTDT, I would say trust your gut. If you are sufficiently concerned that you think he needs " something to take the edge off" then you should take him to an excellent child psychiatrist for an appropriate evaluation. It is not a good idea to self medicate via St. Johns wort or any other supplement; these can have real effects both positive and negative and therefore should only be prescribed by a professional.

As a mom who's been there, I understand your concern re meds. However, an excellent child psychiatrist will trial meds in tiny doses and watch carefully for effects and side effects. As long as you are communicating well with the Dr., and adjusting as appropriate, you do not have to be overly concerned with the very rare risk of suicidality, especially in such a young child (more of a concern for teens).

sourstix

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 8:45 pm

because of the risk of suicidal issues its even more that you should watch not to get him on it only if only he cannot control himself. who even mentioned medication? what makes you think he needs it? it has so many side affects. my personal opinion. I used fish oil and it helped me of course not all the way. I found that doing exercise and being in a accepting envoirnment helped me tremendously. and that I had the right therapist. ok I was an adult. and it was situational. please do yourself a favor and try whatever anything else. fight it. fight it till the end cause that makes him be a stronger person. the medication is only there when they are totally lost and nothing works. and its a question if the person should be hospitalized. thats what I found. you are. not describing any symptoms and thats whats making me so wary

amother

Ivory

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 8:50 pm

Sorry, sourstix, maybe you don't realize this, but your tone is extremely discouraging to a suffering mom. Children and adults are extremely different in terms of presentation of depression and response to meds. You projecting your personal experience on her and her child is not likely to be helpful and can actually be harmful.

OP, I'd like to commend you on your efforts to seek appropriate care for your son.

sourstix

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 8:51 pm

he should definitely be in therapy. and to someone he feels comfortable talking to. its key. whoever the therapist is should help him understand what his feelings are. and how to deal with them. and not give up. if thats it cause that is partially what is depression. ok its alot more. but its a start. you can help him too. by listening. listening is one of the greatest gifts. I just dont know what type your son is.

amother

Ivory

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 8:57 pm

OK, I just read the rest of sourstix's post. Sorry, she is mistaken about appropriate use of meds. They absolutely are not meant to be used as a last resort at the point of needing hospitalization! That is really bizarre. The point is to restore the child to a healthy functional life way before he ever reaches such a crisis point of being a danger to himself or others. And hopefully, with careful and appropriate treatment, he can eventually be weaned off of the meds with having had a stable and meaningful childhood without crisis.

sourstix

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 9:17 pm

do you know how addictive these meds are? are you speaking of experience?this is a very serious decision I wouldnt take it litely. I am sure there are better ways then meds. meds is a last resort. I disagree with above poster. I dont know what her experience is. I am not saying dont give meds. I dont know the severity of the situation. I shall hope its better than I think because to me meds is when someone cant cope. its a helping hand. but when nothing absolutely nothing works and the child is falling apart. thats my experience. I am not a professional. I should hope you speak to professionals. please dont take my advice I am only an imamother. you dont know me. call refuah resources and speak with shuki berman. maybe he can shed some light.

sourstix

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 9:25 pm

she asked for feedback and I gave it. I am not a professional I should hope she knows that. so please dont take my advice. really. I am not a professional sorry for sounding discouraging I was trying to give you my experience. I was only saying to try fighting in in different ways as my experience has taught me. medication is just a tool. and not a long term one. noone wants to be on it for life. I am aware of the addictive part and that is true. getting off of these is torture. he is still young. I am trying to encourage to fight it with therapy and and natural remedies but someone who knows what they are doing. obviously a psychiatrist will prescribe meds there is no question about it. and they will find a reason for it too. because that is what they do all day. I have many yrs experience unfortunately. but it can be very helpful in the right place. hatzlacha whatever you decide to do. please dont take my advice do what you think is right.

amother

Natural

Sun, Oct 25 2015, 10:37 pm

thanks for the replies thus far. Suffice it to say, my DS certainly has more than the occasional moodiness. It's too complicated to describe in a post on a forum like this. He will be getting psychotherapy and seeing a psychiatrist but as most with experience in this area know, its not like these specialist grow on trees. There is a wait period. I've been doing my research about kids and depression. At 8 yrs old, its not to be taken lightly.

amother

Blue

Mon, Oct 26 2015, 4:51 am

Our 9 year old son started Prozac (Fluoxetine) about a year ago for severe anxiety. It was seriously affecting his life, and the rest of our family. B"H it has changed him completely. He is a different child, and I do not regret our decision for one second.

Just to give you my point of view.

FranticFrummie

Mon, Oct 26 2015, 5:35 am

I just want to say that anyone who says "He just needs more love" should really step back and think about how incredibly hurtful and IGNORANT that statement is. I just, I don't even. Mad

My DD has suffered with severe anxiety since she was 6, and we've been through 6 years of intense therapy combined with parenting classes. We've gone through all of the allergy tests, and she's tried different natural treatments. We're now looking for a professional psychiatric evaluation to find the best and safest way to treat her.

OP, you are an awesome mom, and I'm very impressed that you are taking your child's moods seriously, and not just brushing them off.