antidepressants and counseling?!(for a friend)?

Question

OK.

A friend of mine who is 14 (I'm 16) who is going through a lot of crap right now (Her father is dying from a genetic disease that she has, her mother has severe MS, and her sisters are mean) has started cutting herself. I cut too, though, so we have really bonded (Yes, I'm safe about it. It's just a negative coping mechanism, nothing to freak out over). We are like sisters.

Well, her mother walked in on her cutting, yelled at her because it is "just for attention" and then on Friday took her to a general practitioner who put her on antidepresants and ordered counseling.

I am horrified! A general practitioner ordered antidepressants for a young teen? And then sent her to a counseler instead of a pyshicatrist? They can't even change her prescription! And what does a general practitioner know about treating 14 year old girls?

Anyway, my friend asked me if I would go with her to her first session. Is that acceptable? She said she trusts me more than anyone else she knows..

FYI, if you don't know anything about cutting or other forms of self injury, I would look around this website. It is very informative!
www.self-injury.net
ps. click on the "Do You SI" or the "Family and Friends" or "FAQS" for tons of information!

I know she needs help. I am glad that she is getting help, but I know that antidepressants aren't a "one size fits all" type of thing. I was concerned that he just gave her a random med at a random dosage and hoped she didn't get worse. I was worried for her. Out here in the sticks, doctors aren't real particular, and hardly specialized. The same guy who delivers your babies gives your grandma heart meds and your daughter antidepressants. So I was just a tad concerned!

Also, she didn't know I cut until I learned (well, I guessed) that she cut. So it isn't monkey see, monkey do.

I don't cut because it is a fad. I cut because it is a way to escape my negative feelings of worthlessness and aloneness that I have experienced all my life due to a severely abusive relationship with my dad. Is it good? No. Does it help? Oh yes. Flat out, plainly put, I don't want to stop!

Answer 1

Going with your friend to her first therapy / counseling session is a good idea. Your presence will help her to feel less nervous and less "on the spot" during that time. Do expect that for at least 5 min. you will be asked to wait in the waiting room so the counselor can meet privately for a few moments.

It really is a safe situation for the general practitioner (MD) to have prescribed the medication, knowing the counselor will likely be seeing this girl weekly, and is experienced in the follow-up monitoring of medication and of depression. Your friend will be watched closely for changes in her condition and the counselor will tell her if she needs to go back to the Dr, or if she should be referred to a psychiatrist. Part of the counselors job is to monitor safety.

I applaud the mother for ACTING rather than sitting back and worrying. A family Dr. sees more of this than you may realize, and is a good judge of his own expertise, knowing when to initiate treatment and when to refer out. He is also in a position to be a good judge of behavior, as to what needs treating and what does not.

"Cutting" may be "popular" these days among younger people. But that does not mean that it is either a sign of health or that it is within the "normal" range of mental health.
A cry for help?? I question.
An expression of extreme emotion or an emotional crisis -- Yes.

For your information - as you may be unaware, these days insurance companies have the biggest say as to which Dr. does what. Psychiatrists are pretty much limited to Med-evals medication evaluations and monitoring. Some insurances will only pay for visits months apart with the psychiatrist. That is where the job of the counselor/therapist becomes a critical part of treatment and monitoring, on a weekly basis. They will gain permission for all professionals to talk to each other concerning her case. The counselor is the one who has the time and the job to listen and to coach. Something neither of the Dr.s has time for.

Answer 2

Hon, when you pull your head out of your asss, reread the description you just wrote and explain how anyone with any common sense couldn't figure out that your friend needs real professional help. Anyone would in that situation, never mind a 14 y/o girl. Yes, a GP is more than qualified to dx depression, self-harm, and prescribe antidepressants. They do it all the time, and in this situation, that includes for kids. He was also a heck of a lot more responsible than many GPs. He referred her to a psychiatrist and counselling.

As for going with her, sure if you are up to it and can be a positive role model. You are older. She will look to you. To cut to the chase, if you can't get your shiit together, slowly back out of her life. You are most definitely being a negative influence. You cut. Your younger friend cuts. This isn't rocket science.

As for cutting... yes, for some it's no big deal. Those are the ones playing at the popular feel for me game. It's not real. It's acting like a mimicky little kid seeking attention. If that's you, then grow up and knock it off. If, on the other hand, it is something you really need and can't stop, ask for help while you are at your friends counseling visit.

Answer 3

Gp's prescribe anti depresaants for me and they work just fine if u suffer side efects call the gp and change dose or type
counselors can be good or bad ican't see why u can't go but the therapist may not allow it u could always look for one who does. U ceratainly cam be in waiting room if nothin else. The fact that u cut is not good u should get help for that if u can't stop