Hypoxia and Medicine

Will they prescribe me anxiety medication if I'm 14?

I've had anxiety for a long time and i never knew it was a medical condition so i never said anything about it, now it's become more of a problem, i hate going anywhere where there's crowds, it's like i can't think straight, my heart beats really fast, i get very hot, sometimes twitch, i literally want to disappear. I've told my parents but they think it's just hormones and it'll go away, so I'm scared that's what the doctor will say, that and to drink less caffeine or get more sleep or something, it's gotten to the point where i can't sleep because I'm worried about the next day going through all the things that can happen during it. If you can think of a condition that includes anxiety, depression, this feeling that I'm not real, and insomnia thanks. (although my insomnia is caused by my anxiety most of the time) also what will the medicine do assuming they give any?

Public Comments

1. i think its a personality issue you need to deal with something in your life that is giving you anxiety and you have to face those fears so you can truly feel relaxed at all time when we ignores those fears we supress them and they have vent in different way!!
2. It is impossible to say what your doctor will think or do. Doctors typically avoid prescribing psych medications to a 14 year old. Part of that is because it is not well known what, if any, impact psych meds will have on a developing mind. And there is the general belief that kids and teens are somehow immune to anxiety, depression, and insomnia. When you see your doctor tell him how severe this is. Tell him you have cut out caffeine (which it sounds like you have done), tell him how paralysing and difficult it is. Say the things you wrote, you can even say that you don't think you are being taken seriously and that you truly do need help. Some paediatricians (what I assume you will see) won't deal with psychiatric things at all and will just give you a referral. Some doctors recommend therapy first and then medication, if needed. Therapy is typically helpful and an option that should be considered. But it can take time and if you are really struggling and don't have the time then meds are an option. There are two primary medications for anxiety and depression. The first are antidepressants and the SSRI class is most used and most effective, especially for anxiety. But antidepressants have come under criticism because people 24 an younger can become suicidal from the medications. It is uncommon but it does happen. The other group is benzodiazepines (benzo's). These are better studied in kids and have fewer risks. But benzodiazepines can cause abuse and/or dependence. Typically benzo's are used short term and only used long term when other treatments fail or the anxiety is extremely severe and treatment resistant. So both drugs have pros and cons. And the antidepressants takes 4-6 weeks to work a benzo takes 20-60 min to work.