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13 year old son with agoraphobia

Posted , 6 users are following.

Doofus88
Doofus88

Hello all,my 13 year old son has been taking 5mg daily citalopram for agorophobia and anxiety.

He lost all interest in everything he used to enjoy and hasen't been able to leave the house for 8 months now.

He has been on the medication for just over 3 weeks now with no change whatsoever.

My question is how long should this medication take to start working or is this dosage too small or should he be switched to a different med.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

Regards,

Dan.

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • jim48507
    jim48507 Doofus88

    Posted

    You should really check with his dr.  sometimes antidepressants can flatten emotions and cause lose of generel interest.  It's a trade off.
    • Doofus88
      Doofus88 jim48507

      Posted

      Hello thank you for your reply.

      He is also taking part in cognitive behavioral therapy.

      The first few days his anxiety worsened but then tappered off to what it was when he started.I suppose I should give it another week before making any decisions.I have an appointment this Friday with his doctor.

  • Gigachick
    Gigachick Doofus88

    Posted

    I would talk to his Dr. Soon.

    From what I've read 20 MG is the smallest therapeutic dose.. but they don't normally recommend Cit normally in teens because it can cause suicidal thoughts. I do know also that most recamend giving the medication at least 6 weeks too work. I hope you can find something that works well soon!

    • Doofus88
      Doofus88 Gigachick

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply,I have just read that 4 weeks I should start seing signs of improvement.I also thought the dose was a bit small.

      I have an appointment this Friday with the doctor so I will see if they recommend another product as well.This has put an enormous strain on my family especially since he was so active with soccer and school which he had to give up both because of this.He was diagnosed with ocd when he was 4yrs. but has been much better until this event surfaced.My thought go out to all people/families with any of these conditions.Thanks you again.

       

  • katecogs
    katecogs Doofus88

    Posted

    5mg is a very small dose, but he is young and your doctor knows best.  It often takes 3-4 months for people to notice any changes.  This medicine should be gauged in months not weeks - it's very slow to work, but worth the wait.  With each dose increase too there is often side effects again, but this is normal.

    These meds work really well.  Wishing you both my best wishes.

    K x

    • Doofus88
      Doofus88 katecogs

      Posted

      Wow months?To be honest with all the many sites and forums I've been to,I have always seen 4-6 weeks for a noticeable change.I'll keep you posted.Thanks so much for the feedback.
    • katecogs
      katecogs Doofus88

      Posted

      It can be.  Some people don't see any changes in 4-6 weeks and get disheartened, so just be prepared that it can be months.  My 20 year old son  had a massive melt down last year and started Fluoxetine, similar to Citalopram, and it took 5 months for him to start feeling the benefit.  I now have my son back :-)

      Its painful watching our children suffer ..... I know how you're feeling.  

      Stay in touch. 

      My best wishes

      K x

  • stevo1975
    stevo1975 Doofus88

    Posted

    Hi Doofus,

    Thats sad news such a young person has to indure an illness like this, I can only say that my dosage 20mg has taken sometime to repair? it is a long term slow releasing medication but generally has good results! if you fid there are no benefits after 6 weeks perhaps re-visit doctor and look at dosage?

    I wish you the best keep us posted! 

    • Doofus88
      Doofus88 stevo1975

      Posted

      Hi there,thanks so much for your reply.I understand we all have to be patient with this process,but I just want my old son back soon.

      Worst part is I lost my fishing partner...lol...but I'm not giving up!

    • stevo1975
      stevo1975 Doofus88

      Posted

      Yeah I really feel for you doofus he will be back I'm sure young people are more resilent than we realise!! once the right balance is found things will be heading in the right direction! keep us posted on the little guys progress and yourself take care!
    • Lan-69
      Lan-69 Doofus88

      Posted

      I just saw your post and would like to say please make sure he gets all the help he can get even if it means jumping up and down in the doctors. Do not let them fob you off ! I have been there with my son and looking back I wish I'd shouted louder

  • katecogs
    katecogs Doofus88

    Posted

    I've just read a post from james2110 who suffered from anxiety, depression, agoraphobia, social phobia and other issues etc since he was 14.  He just posted his success story of his recent recovery whilst taking this medicine and is now 21 and is socialising more, happier, more confident.

    This medicine will help your son no doubt, as it has helped him.

    K x

    • Doofus88
      Doofus88 katecogs

      Posted

      Hello all,Thanks so much for all of your replies and concern.

      Into the 4th week on Citalopram and still no changes at all.

      My wife got him into the car for a 2 minute ride down the road but that has not changed in months.His mood is a bit better,but it's the anxiety of leaving the house that has no improvement whatsover.

      He won't even let me drive him down the road in fear that I won't stop or turn around when he says too.He thinks I will keep driving forever.

      The past few nights he says he has been having dreams of playing soccer again(which he has been on a travel team for 4 years prior to this)and hanging out with his friend bike riding.I can only hope this is the meds showing signs of "re-wiring" the brain.Any thoughts?

    • stevo1975
      stevo1975 Doofus88

      Posted

      Hi Doofus,

      Baby steps is key he will trust you to look after him so be careful how hard you push early smile he will get there smile the dreams and having recollection of such is common and promising too I wish you both the best take care.

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