CBD V Anti Depessants

Thank you these look great x

I think that discussing this as a potential option with the GP after a couple of months may be worth thinking about.  I have been reading up about these supplements and along with magnesium this cou be a good alternative.  Thank you I feel like I’ve certainly been given some good alternatives to consider and discuss with her.

I'll add some links. I do get a brand from an overseas mycologist and am working with one of their researchers in Vancouver on this. 

Knowing how to research medical papers seems like something that isn't intuitive to most. But from experience, friends and family, I noticed a pattern of lower immune response directly in relation to CDB and weed - not everyone responds the same. But this lead to peeling through research on it and it seems to back up why it might be useful in situations where the immune system is out of control as well. In small doses it might not have as great of an affect. 

Anti-depressants are a whole other problem and practitioners are fully aware of the 'side effects'. There are companies trying to design ones which don't lower GABA, but the problem is our biology is a bit similar to an ecological dome. Offsetting a thing can drastically affect another. And the word 'depression' is misused greatly. But because drugs which lower stress and promote these inhibitors can be highly addictive and only accessible from a Private, they're not even thought about. A great many psychologists are against the use of antidepressants on the whole. From what I understand now about some of the fundamental biological differences of Autism, these should never be prescribed to autistics or ADHD'rs. 

As for functional mushrooms and nootropics -

If I look around online, it can be hard to tell which brands are better. I take a few comprehensive from Host Defence https://uk.iherb.com/pr/host-defense-host-defense-mushrooms-stamets-7-7-species-blend-7-oz-200-g/140084

And have a friend send this as they don't ship to the UK https://uk.iherb.com/pr/host-defense-mushrooms-mycommunity-120-capsules/21448

However, these gummies look like a good comprehensive one. And for teens, I might recommend half dose to start  https://www.uniquenootropics.com/products/super-blend-mushroom-gummies

This company also looks quite good https://www.chucklinggoat.co.uk/product/complete-mushroom-blend/?utm_medium=paid&utm_source=fb&utm_id=6535828965929&utm_content=6535828965729&utm_term=6535828966129&utm_campaign=6535828965929&fbclid=IwAR1uAxYAZbMAsDOqyNQpBdsg7cfUzk2LKt6ll4oMX9Yf1_lT9xB9nmcGSfQ

My son likes Feel Güd: https://feelgud.co.uk/products/mushroom-gummies?selling_plan=2842624193

JuniperFromGallifrey 

I agree with your perspective entirely because as an individual I have experienced all of what you mention in terms of antidepressant use, diet monitoring and cbd use. I use very few medications because of sensitivity but am always on antihistamines due to severe allergies.  I did think about paying for a private immunologist to combat my allergies but am not sure I could foot the bill at the moment or if it would work....  Are we allowed to discuss what brand of supplement we take as I'd like to know what you are taking with Lion's Mane in it. :-)

I guess it depends. CBD isn’t that great plus you need to buy really strong concentrated CBD for it have a noticeable effect. We’re talking about £100 for a bottle at the strength high enough for it to work. So you’d probably be better getting prescribed any CBD as you may get it cheaper. Sertraline is pretty good actually. I’ve been on it it’s good. Doesn’t cure anxiety though so if you go into it with that expectation you will be let down. Hope this helps.

In my experience and research, if she is autistic, dyslexic or divergent in ways that are socially disabling, there might be a potential Anti Depressants can be harmful. If she starts experiencing difficulty sleeping and higher anxiety, I would suggest to speak to the GP about taking her off and looking at GABA boosting supplements or diet. I take a nootropics blend with Lion's Mane which I would suggest before anything. But I also have a lot more control over my life and don't have to allow myself to be in situations with toxic behaviour. I can continue to learn at my pace. I've found ways to flourish according to the Self Determination Theory. 

CDB can help if she doesn't have an allergy (apparently 25% of the population will), but it can also lower immune function if taken for too long - however, I would always opt for this over Anti-depressants. Medical sativa has proven to be useful for executive function. I've taken it to aid with administrative tasks in the past. And executive function is needed for social skills so one can prioritise and organise while speaking and attempting to connect with others.

Autism and similar Differences including ADHD and Dyslexia share Monotropism and hyper sensitivity, which appear to be the result of lower GABA, the gut-brain axis, responsible inhibiting overload like a resistor in the human biology and aiding for gut health, regulating sleep, clarity and focus, and a great deal of other functions for well-being. Anti-Depressants all further lower GABA (which can be fine if it's not already too low) while anti anxiety medication will promote it. 

NAS88650

I noticed from the other posts that your daughter is called Isla.  Mine too! I thought these sites might be helpful for the clothing you mentioned your daughter wears:

https://molke.co.uk/ (comfy bras and knickers)

She sounds wonderful just like my wee beauty who is 13 so entering teenage years.

I wish you all the best too. :-)

Thank you Ian - we are very lucky in that we have been paired up with a GP who has been really helpful and is checking in with Isla regularly to see how she is getting on.  After speaking with her yesterday we have decided that we will go with this for a couple of months and see how she gets on.  She has been really struggling the last few days but I think this is the initial response to the medication.

thanks again for taking the time to respond and I wish you well. 

It's so hard and painful to navigate these things. I know from experience there are no easy fixes. I have found GPs to be SO helpful in the past, even more so since I've been realised that I am (very likely) autistic, so that they make allowances for that in consultations. Specialists, on the other hand, in my experience tend to focus very narrowly on the condition that they are interested in.

I say this because I hope you will be able to cultivate a relationship with a GP who can get to know the situation and hope to find an approach that works for your daughter. I know it can be hard to see the same GP, but it's important for me - and probably helpful for you in the circumstances.

I can't comment on the use of medical cannabis, but I should have thought that, having started on Sertraline, it would probably make sense to give that a good go before adding anything to the mix. As I'm sure you're aware it can take a while for any effect to build, all the more so as you have to start with a low dose.

Thank you so much for your insightful and helpful response.  It sounds like you have been extremely proactive in finding out what works well for you.  I do try to ensure my daughter has a healthy varied diet as that is one aspect that I can have some control over. Unfortunately she has very low motivation and exercise although suggested on many occasions, has been successful.  I am hoping that if she can have increased motivation other aspects that she struggles with may become easier.  Her home is also her sanctuary.  She rarely goes out and has no real friends where we live.  
School is a living nightmare for her she doesn’t really talk to anyone there.  When she does go,she comes home exhausted. She has one pair of shorts that she lives in and a bra top - we only found out last year that there is a high possibility that she could be autistic ( we are in the process of waiting* for an assessment) but at least now we can have a greater understanding of why these things are happening.  She is a thoughtful mature kind and intelligent person and it breaks my heart not being able to help her.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond.  It really has helped.  I wish you every happiness x

NAS88650 said:

 She is 15 and is Neurodiverse.

Hi! Just a quick bit of info (intended kindly, not critically) regarding terminology (click on an image to enlarge it):

NAS88650 I'm sure you'll work out together what helps.  I personally have severe sensitivity to antidepressants so have always sought a different route.  My brother is helped by medical cannabis and when I was on here a long time ago under another name, there were many folks being helped by medical cannabis but again it's a trying to see what works scenario as you'll know.  I've put a list below of how I cope so perhaps something on it may be helpful and hopefully not everything you've already researched:

1. I had allergy testing done and so have cut out many foods that were making me feel ill in mind and body.  I am feeling less anxious more often than not.

2. I've develop an exercise routine that I do every day to help me feel less painful as I have fibromyalgia.  It's helping dampen down the pain.  It takes huge motivation but once I get going, I feel achievement when it's done.

3. I avoid processed foods which again has helped me painwise and psychologically.

4. I've cut out processed sugar completely but eat whole fruits.  This has been huge in helping my pain and anxiety.

5. I stopped drinking, smoking and experimenting with drugs in my 20s which really made a huge difference in my mood.

6. I cut out caffeine in my 20s too.  This was a game changer as it really fuelled my Anxiety.

7. I had bad PMDD and had tried many different antidepressants which only made things worse or stopped me feeling anything at all so at the age of 30 I had my ovaries removed which improved my mood fluctuations to be more manageable. The doctors at the time saw this as a last resort after antidepressant treatment.

8. I have found out my sensory profile and so my home is my sanctuary.

9. I now only wear clothes to suit my sensory needs which has helped a great deal.  I make my own bras and tshirts.

10. I try to accept what I am unable to do (work) which is tough but I know there is a lot I can do (make my own clothes and crafts and be a great mother to my Autistic daughter).

I know it's a long road when dealing with depression and painful when it's someone you love deeply but you are both trying your best.  I wish you well with everything.

Thank you.  Sound advice. I will obviously approach this by doing lots of research first.  Also reading how other people have responded to CBD is encouraging.  She also has therapy session once a week and her school is very supportive.  None of this sadly seems to be helping and it seems like she’s falling into a deep dark hole.  As a parent I despair which is why I am considering everything as a potential option right now.  Thank you again I am most grateful for responding.