Posted by:
ThinkingOutLoud
(
)
Date: March 10, 2011 08:23AM
Yes, these are serious meds, especially for kids. Celexa definitely can cause weight gain.
And no history of mental illness in the family means nothing, really. Not until you know what the mental illness he might be suffering from actually is, if any.
Even in low dose, but especially in children, these meds can create what is called "suicidal ideation", meaning a bizarre fixation on wanting to kill oneself, where no idea of suicide existed before.
They can make someone more depressed than they ever were before, or cause insomnia to an extreme degree.
The dreams they cause in some people are so nightmarish and bizarre, people wake up repeatedly, and in the morning, truly end up believing that what they dreamed was real.
They can create hallucinations and delusions. But then again in others, do almost nothing at all.
How and why they work is actually not very well understood--and this is admitted by the very people who make and sell them. And by the people who prescribe them.
Tapering off, or stopping them suddenly, can cause serious problems, too.
And believe it or not, I am a proponent of people that really need them, using them!
My son has a serious mental illness that for a very long time was undiagnosed, then misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated. He suffered needlessly, for a long time.
Trust your instincts here. If your son needs you to advocate for him more strongly, do that.
If your gut tells you that waiting and watching isn't doing enough, do more.
Most ERs, unless the person is raving mad at the moment they see the person, tend to tell you to go home and then see your regular dr, and have that dr make a psych referral if in that dr's opinion it is needed.
But was a psych eval ever suggested to you? A psych dr's or psych facilities' name ever given to you? Were you given a number to call if this non emergency suddenly turned into one?
Was a trained psych nurse or intern or resident ever there? Did anyone suggest having someone from the psych dept come down and talk to you or your son?
Or did they listen to your and his oral history of what had already been done, and make their judgement based solely on that?
Did anyone call or speak with the prescribing MD, the one who gave your son the meds originally?
Was an overnight observation admission suggested to you at any time?
Was a referral to a social worker ever made, or ever discussed?
NAMI is a good org for the mentally ill and their families. NIMH has some good resources and links. Your regular dr may refer you to a group or source, locally.
And can you also go online and look up a support group, or center for mental health treatment in your area? Call and ask/ tell them what you are saying here; then ask for help.
But above all, keep an eye on your son. He is very vulnerable right now.