Short-Term Anti-Depressants

[Sceptre]

My son's partner and mother to my two granddaughters had a very disturbed and hard upbringing. Her mother was and still is, an alcoholic and has just been diagnosed as schizophrenic.

She was constantly told by her mother that she was no good and would never amount to anything and she self-harmed during her teenage years.

Her mother disappeared out of their lives for a year and a half and has only just come back, after their second baby was born.

All these horrible things that she was being told by her mother lately, she has kept to herself and it stretched the relationship between my son and her, to breaking point.

It all culminated back in April with her mother nearly being sectioned and all the things that had been going on, came out into the open.

Now, my son's partner was put on anti-depressants by her doctor, (so she said) and the change in her was astounding. She was a normal happy young woman and I thought, thank God. She has sought help and the only way is up.

These past few days we have noticed that she is going back to how she was, before this all happened and I asked her if she was still taking her tablets. She told me that they were only a short term thing and that, that was what she was told by her doctor.

My question is: Would her doctor have prescribed her anti-depressants for such a short time, which I very much doubt, or has she just decided herself to come off them, with all that, that entails. I am sure she needs help and I want to be able to persuade her to take help.

Thanks for any advice.

[pixie373]

They should be taken for an absolute minimum of six months and then reduced very gradually to check for symptoms coming back. It's possible her doctor has told her this, as, in my experience, many seem to have minimum idea of how they work, especially with women. If her doctor has given that advice, she should go back and see a different one. She clearly isn't ready yet.

[wolf63]

I have no medical knowledge but have taken anti-depressants for a 'while'. I have always been told (GP and psychiatrist) that anti-depressants should be taken for 9 month to a year at a minimum.

The tablets don't actually cure anything but they give you the mental edge so that you are able to sort out your brain.

[pixie373]

They take 2-4 weeks to reach full benefit anyway.

[pixie373]

Sorry, also assuming that they are anti-depressants and not a short-term medication, like diazepam.

[Mamyalynne]

It could be that she was given a Prescription for 2 months then asked to return and she thinks she no longer needs them.

It is worth your Son reminding her how well she has been and asking her to go back and see the GP to discuss whether to stay on them.

[pixie373]

She should have been seen weekly at first and then monthly, so either the GP is not making it clear- or she dislikes taking them.

[Sceptre]

So you think I should "pop" in for a coffee and have it out with her. My son says she won't listen to him.

She spends every night upstairs on her phone etc. It isn't a happy way to live.

I was just checking that the pills are not meant to be short-term. She told me they were Citalopram.

[black_cat51]

how short term is short term?

[scorpiojo]

As Pixie said, normally for at least 6 months

http://www.news-medical.net/drugs/Apo-Citalopram.aspx

[pixie373]

She's had no chance since April. There seems to be some reason she's reluctant though- a gentle chat maybe.

[Sceptre]

Yes, that's what I think I will do.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Ken4155]

I was on Citalopram for just over 9 months and i had to take myself off them - gradually by first taking one every 2 days, then every 3 etc. They were literally sending me absolutely crazy; i was jittery, lethargic, constantly tearful. Though still depressed, i take nothing for it now and, as long as people leave me be, i can cope. If you do approach her, be careful how you go. You may just worsen the situation.

[Sceptre]

No Ken, I wouldn't do that. I know her well and she will listen to me. Thanks.

[scorpiojo]

Duplicate

[scorpiojo]

^ sorry, ignore that