Medication?

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
  • Thank you everyone. So useful. Our YP has sought out counselling etc independently. Tries but difficult to control recurring unpleasant thought patterns.

    I read about autistic folk behaving differently outside a routine environment - it was good to be reminded of this. Also the thing about sport.

    (The siblings are physicists by the way.)

    Pleased to see there might be a *** of light with meds too. I didn't know side effects could be different from those of neurotypicals. Thanks to that poster for increasing my knowledge. I won't say "no-one gets those blotches from using X!" again.

    Best wishes.

Reply
  • Thank you everyone. So useful. Our YP has sought out counselling etc independently. Tries but difficult to control recurring unpleasant thought patterns.

    I read about autistic folk behaving differently outside a routine environment - it was good to be reminded of this. Also the thing about sport.

    (The siblings are physicists by the way.)

    Pleased to see there might be a *** of light with meds too. I didn't know side effects could be different from those of neurotypicals. Thanks to that poster for increasing my knowledge. I won't say "no-one gets those blotches from using X!" again.

    Best wishes.

Children
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