Ok so how would you all feel about children being on antidepressants?

My son has PTSD and the doctors have spoken with me about possibly medicating him. I don't know how I feel about this. I am pretty sure that I remember hearing about antidepressants causing increase suicide attempts in kids, but he was already suicidal so can it really do and more harm than good?

Opinions?

ETA I should add that he is already in therapy and has been for years.

i think if other therapies (psychotherapy, etc and other alternative therapies) haven't worked than it's okay. if you don't mind what does he have ptsd from?

I dunno even know about those pills anymore anyways.

My dad is a disabled vet and he gets them for anti inflamatories for his back...So its like they can be two things.

I wish they could come up with one thing for one issue and leave it at that.

i think before i would put my kids on any type of daily drug i would get a couple of opinions just due to the fact that i feel that kids are way over medicated anymore

i think before i would put my kids on any type of daily drug i would get a couple of opinions just due to the fact that i feel that kids are way over medicated anymore

:yes

i think if other therapies (psychotherapy, etc and other alternative therapies) haven't worked than it's okay. if you don't mind what does he have ptsd from?

He was exposed to 6 years of spousal abuse.

i think before i would put my kids on any type of daily drug i would get a couple of opinions just due to the fact that i feel that kids are way over medicated anymore

I have received this opinion from a couple already. But I am still unsure :(

How do you feel about alternative medicine?

I like it...

i'm so sorry of what he was exposed too :hugs

i think you need to make that judgement yourself and talk to a couple behavioral therapist that specialize in children.

How do you feel about alternative medicine?

I like it...

I am not opposed! One of my professors had her doctorate in homeopathy and was all abut alternative medicine for everything. It would be nice to have her around right now.

You should look in your phone book...

Actually dont laugh our civi vet got me into it...She does it for animals and on herself...

i'm so sorry of what he was exposed too :hugs

i think you need to make that judgement yourself and talk to a couple behavioral therapist that specialize in children.

Thanks Jill, although I am not sad about it for me, it made me who I am, and that is a much stronger woman than I was. But for him, it is horribly sad :(
But the thing is that he doesn't remember any of it. It's all blocked out. Which apparently isn't a good thing.

you know I was gonna make a spin off post about anybody being on anti depressants. I am not against it either as a last resort. If someone has a true problem and needs it then I think its okay for them to be on it for a short time until they can get the psychological help along with it but I dont think someone should be on those types medications for a long time unless they have a true chemical disorder that they need to be on those types of meds. I think Depression is over diagnosed too and that people just need to learn the right coping skills instead of taking a pill to feel better. I know that its needed in alot of cases though.


I just think that you have to take each case on a individual basis and you cant lump everyone into one category.

You should look in your phone book...

Actually dont laugh our civi vet got me into it...She does it for animals and on herself...

I will, thanks Jenny!

Thanks Jill, although I am not sad about it for me, it made me who I am, and that is a much stronger woman than I was. But for him, it is horribly sad :(
But the thing is that he doesn't remember any of it. It's all blocked out. Which apparently isn't a good thing.

honestly if he's repressed that i highly recommend some sort of hypnotherapy. it's not as wacky as it sounds it's an actual subfield of psychology now. i wish you the best of luck. if you ever want to talk let me know

you know I was gonna make a spin off post about anybody being on anti depressants. I am not against it either as a last resort. If someone has a true problem and needs it then I think its okay for them to be on it for a short time until they can get the psychological help along with it but I dont think someone should be on those types medications for a long time unless they have a true chemical disorder that they need to be on those types of meds. I think Depression is over diagnosed too and that people just need to learn the right coping skills instead of taking a pill to feel better. I know that its needed in alot of cases though.


I just think that you have to take each case on a individual basis and you cant lump everyone into one category.

I know what you're saying but in our case he has been getting that psychological help for 4 years and he has still had episodes of suicidal ideation.

then he really should be on the meds if he is having suicidal thoughts

oh and I am very very sorry he is going thru all of this. my heart goes out to him.

He is a strong kid! {{Hugs}}

then he really should be on the meds if he is having suicidal thoughts

That's what I am thinking too :( But I guess I just needed to hear it from someone other than doctors.

Thanks ladies! As always, you have helped.

then he really should be on the meds if he is having suicidal thoughts

agree. when i first went on meds my grandma took all sharp and potentially dangerous objects out of my room and took the lock off

good luck with your decision. I know it isnt easy, but do what you think is best. Talk with his dr and listen to what they recommend. I hope that he is able to get the help he needs!:hugehug

As with the other discussion I feel that medications are a wonderful tool - when properly used. I do feel that there are many situations where the medication is improperly prescribed and/or there is not enough thought given to other treatments that may offer as much, or more, benefit.

How old is your son? That makes a huge difference.

He has done outpatient counseling. Was it by someone who specializes in trauma or domestic violence? If not, you could try to find a specialist. Have you tried any in home services? Counseling in the home can really make a difference. If not, you can contact your local community mental health centers or hospital and see what programs are available in your area. Especially something that is trauma specific.

Hypotherapy is an option. A lot of well-respected professionals swear by it.

i have a love/hate relationship with meds.. i suffered from depression and probably undiagnosed ptsd from being raped and getting preg then losing the baby when i was 16.. my parents just ignored the situation and i kept telling them i needed to talk to someone about it but they just acted like it didnt happen.... so 3 years later of all of it piling up i finally snapped and had a horrible emotional breakdown and tried killing myself. and then of course my parents were like omg we dont understand how this happened and stuck me in a hospital for a couple weeks. youre already doing so much for your child than my parents did for me and i know thats making a difference to him. i had suicidal ideations for years before i actually did anything but it was an event that pushed me over the edge it wasnt like i just decided to do it one day. ive been on meds for almost 2 years and im trying my hardest to get off of them. antidepressants are powerful stuff and im going through withdrawals because my body is dependent on them now. even though truly they have helped me get my life back together, now that i am trying to get off them i wish i hadnt started taking them. i really think if the whole situation had been dealt with from the beginning i wouldnt have gone through all that. also i dont think id be having such a problem now if they had kept me on smaller doses. they started me out on a dose and then after a week would ask me are you still having suicidal ideations and i would say yes and they would keep bumping it up. i would have loved to have tried alternative medicine.