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Medication?

Possum

Our young person (somewhere on the autistic spectrum) is now on a degree course at university. Friendless, but not for want of trying. High functioning and articulate but suffering terribly and for years now from 'peaks' in anxiety which manifest as tearful alternately angry and sad 'meltdowns' which revolve around whether "being good" or "being annoying" and whether 'failing' at such things will cause a withdrawal of the (guaranteed) support and love of the family.  The conversation about it can repeat for hours and hours until we're all exhausted with endless reassurance.  Recently said they'd like some mild medication to help with these episodes. (Already tried mindfulness, CBT, counselling).

Anyone have any experience of meds for this high anxiety in someone under 21? Circumstances? Type? Effectiveness? I think GPs reluctant to prescribe because of suicide risk in the age group but young one finding the intensity so hard to handle and knows it.

Thanks in anticipation.

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Your YP needs to resolve the imbalance between the intensity of the demands of the course and their ability to deliver sufficient output to keep up. Unless the meds can somehow help with that balance then I'm not sure how they will resolve the underlying problem. The reaction of tears and meltdowns tells me that this person is highly stressed and that they are not actually keeping up with the demands of the course and independent living.

    There may be some benefit in providing coaching with their executive function skills. Is this person efficient and effective at keeping and organising their notes and tasks? Executive function issues are common with people on the spectrum and some effective guidance and help with getting the right stuff done in the right order is going to do their esteem more help than the drugs.

    I suspect that the GP may believe that medication is not the solution to this problem and rightly fears that continuing to leave the person in a high stress situation is not a recipe for success.

Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Your YP needs to resolve the imbalance between the intensity of the demands of the course and their ability to deliver sufficient output to keep up. Unless the meds can somehow help with that balance then I'm not sure how they will resolve the underlying problem. The reaction of tears and meltdowns tells me that this person is highly stressed and that they are not actually keeping up with the demands of the course and independent living.

    There may be some benefit in providing coaching with their executive function skills. Is this person efficient and effective at keeping and organising their notes and tasks? Executive function issues are common with people on the spectrum and some effective guidance and help with getting the right stuff done in the right order is going to do their esteem more help than the drugs.

    I suspect that the GP may believe that medication is not the solution to this problem and rightly fears that continuing to leave the person in a high stress situation is not a recipe for success.

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