I have a bit of a dilemma. I have a teenage son who is being treated for anxiety and depression. He’s been prescribed Fluvoxamine, but hates taking them because they upset his tummy. I was talking to his girlfriend recently and she told me he has been hearing voices.
My son has not confided in me about this. I’m really worried as his girlfriend told me his voices are loud, they’ve been telling him to kill him self and to stab me.
I’m so scared for him, as my brother has paranoid schizophrenia and has been in and out of psychiatric care for years.
I’ve been speaking to my son about it and he doesn’t want to go and get help as he’s scared I’m going to “send him to a ward”. He’s refusing to go and see a doctor as he thinks they don’t know what they’re doing (because his medication isn’t making him better...he didn’t tell the doctor about the voices though so how can they help?).
I know from experience that the mental health triage team won’t do anything about it until there’s actually a psychotic episode occurring or he harms himself or someone else.
I live in the country, I can’t just go to a major hospital and ask for help.
What do I do to help this boy?
Mental health
Mental health
Posted in:
Mental Health, Teenagers
11 Replies
Is he taking them with food? My son is on the same tablets and needs to take them with food for that reason. He also takes them at night so if he feels sick he can sleep it off and not have to go all day feeling yuck.
I’d be going and seeing the GP that prescribed the medication (alone) and talking to them about your new concerns. I say alone because it’s a conversation that needs to be had before he acts on the voices that he hears and hurts himself or others, the GP will be the best person to guide you to support your son.
Sometimes as parents we have to do things our children hate to get them the best and most appropriate support.
If he's hearing voices he is in the middle of an actual psychotic episode as you put it. Get him help immediately. Call police for a welfare check and they can mandate treatment if required. Fluvoxetine is primarily for OCD, it won't help psychosis. A rare side effect requiring urgent medical review includes hallucinations though.
I agree with going alone to the gp who prescribed them as soon as possible. Only they will be able to guide you correctly also considering your location and available resources
That's not anxiety and depression. She's worried enough to tell you. You should be worried for your own safety. Take him to the ER.
Ambulance would be much safer for everyone
You're right
You could also ring the mental health line. For Queensland it’s 1300 MH CALL (1300 642255). It’s a 24/7 line designed for mental health triage service and they will be able to tell you exactly what needs to be done here. You’ll have a long wait (when I’ve called I’ve had to wait 30 plus mins) but the advise and support was amazing.
If you’re not in QLD google mental health line number for your state and call them.
My 15yr old was depressed last year, he was under the care of a paed and on medication. The first lot made him ill, they changed him to something else and it helped. Try making sure he takes his meds with food, it can help. My son also was hearing voices and tried to kill himself just over a year ago. Medication isn’t a fix, but it helps and seeing a good paed is ideal in my experience. My son also sees a psych and his meds are right for him now and he is happier and not hearing voices. I can only speak from my experience, but please get him to a dr, they won’t put him in hospital, that’s literally last resort for most medical professionals as they learn worse in them than out. Best of luck, it’s the hardest position to be in for all of you xx
He could be on the wrong meds I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression and was suicidal I was given all sorts of meds that would make me a zombie or worse. I have now been diagnosed with ADD OCD and Bipolar 2 maybe have him see someone when he in a good mood if that’s possible also have him listen to meditation stuff on YouTube they have helped me a lot. I hope you find the help for your son you need good luck
Firstly, was he hearing these voices before starting this new medication?
Having 3 kids with special needs and mental health issues, we have endured some very nasty side effects form medications, so I’m wondering if he has become worse since taking this medication and perhaps it’s not the right fit for him.
I’m assuming you already have a paediatrician if he’s already on meds so could you contact them directly perhaps via zoom call ( I know ours does these still) might be able to talk privately and then if needed tour son may be able to have quick chat once you have updated them with all info. My kids seem to cope better with this type of appt rather than in the clinic.
I would also highly recommend a psych to help him with these voices/ thoughts ... keep strong mumma, you’ve got this.
I took antidepressants as a teenager and had a few hallucinations. They stopped as soon as I stoped taking the meds. My advice is go straight back to the doctor and try different antidepressants, it can take a while to find the right ones that work for the individual.
And note- Don’t stop taking antidepressants without a doctors advice.
Best of luck xxx