Q2A

Got an update ........

Hello again ,
Thanks for your other email . well i had my meeting with my new CAMHS worker
and she is really nice i think i have told her every thing which is better than what i did
before with my other CAMHS worker . Just a question to ask if my mum was to ask my
CAMHS worker about meducation and my mum and myself and school thinks that it
might help me will they prescribe me meducation or not and who's choice is it for the
treament options ?
taking theapry does not help me !
Thanks,
unhappy1993

This is our reply.......

Hi unhappy1993, thanks for your email.

We're glad you've made a good start with your new CAMHS worker. We hope you are
both able to make a positive relationship with each other and that this benefits you.

If you were to ask your CAMHS worker about medication they would probably refer you to
your doctor because there are a limited number of people who are allowed to prescribe
medicines. But even if she could not prescribe she could still recommend to a Doctor
medication which might help you.

Most people are guided by their doctor when choosing treatment options. Once you're 16
years old you have the right to choose whether to accept treatment or not, but even
though you're not 16 yet your views should be taken into account. Your doctor should tell
you about all of the different treatments and their likely effects, good or bad, and their
chances of success.

The type of treatment you'll be offered will depend on what your doctor's diagnosis is.
Here's what the current treatments are:

· Antidepressants. As the name suggests these treat depression, but also
anxiety, panic attacks and phobias
· Anxiolytics. These are minor tranquillisers and include benzodiazepines and beta
blockers. These are treatments for anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia
· Anti-psychotics. These are major tranquillisers and as the name suggests the
treat psychosis which is a symptom of schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder (also called
manic depression)
· Mood stabilisers. These are to treat acute attacks of mania in people who have
bi-polar disorder
· Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). This is usually a treatment of last resort for
severe long-lasting depression but can also be used to treat bi-polar disorder,
schizophrenia and post-natal depression. An electrical current is passed through the
brain under general anaesthetic to bring on a seizure (or fit) and is usually over a course of
4 - 8 sessions

As with many medicines there is the risk of side effects, so when these are added to the
symptoms of the mental illness, it can be tempting to stop taking them before they've had
time to work.

We wonder if you or your mum have an idea about a prescription you think could help
you? Then why not ask and see what they say? Or if they suggest something and you
want to know more about it, let us know and we will see what we can find out for you.

Medicines and talking treatments can be use either on their own or together. We've
probably talked about this before but neither medicines nor talking treatments are a quick
fix. Medicines can help to control some of the more alarming symptoms of mental illness.
Talking treatments can help people to change how they think about themselves and their
situation, and can help them to develop ways of dealing with the not-so-good times when
they happen. Both methods need to be given time to work. So, although you may think
that talking therapy doesn't work, try to give it a chance. We know you've had to change
workers which won't help but hopefully you'll get some continuity this time.

We found the following website helpful for the above information:

·http://www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/mentalhealth/treatments/medicaltreat
ments

As well as the above don't forget the self-help stuff we've told you about before: eating well,
getting enough sleep, exercising, treating yourself etc.

We hope this is helpful. Please keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on.
Take care.

Best wishes from q2a.

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