Fluoxetine(Prozac) adolescent anxiety

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nursemum
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09 Dec 2014, 1:06 pm

My 13 yr old son has been on Prozac for aprox 9 months for anxiety and low mood. He takes half a tab (10mgs). His anxiety is creeping up again and is having short bursts of panic up to 4 times per day. The past 2 yrs of school have been a real struggle for him and we are about to enter our 6 week summer break here in NZ. Initially school had placed him in a gifted class, which was ALL self directed learning. Not easy for someone with Dyspraxia and Aspergers. We eventually moved him to another class mid way through this year. His anxiety did seem to level out, but now is increasing again. He starts High School next year, but this doesn't seem to be the problem. Should I have his meds reviewed (ie increase to 20 mgs) or just wait things out through the summer?



KariLynn
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13 Dec 2014, 1:30 pm

Is his anxiety depression or agitation? You sound like it might be agitation. Then the dose is already too high. Effective adult doses for Prozac in HFA have ranged from two 20 mg capsules per week to 40 mg per day. His does is some where in the middle. Increasing it would take him to 1/2 max of an adult. I do not know how large your son is. Very small doses must be used. Too high a dose can cause agitation, aggression, or excitement.


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nursemum
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13 Dec 2014, 3:25 pm

No agitation, he is being treated for anxiety. This has decreased significantly since being on his meds. Here in NZ the recommended dose is 10 mgs per day for children/adolescents. The Psychiatrist warned us with anything higher than that it could cause agitation. He is also of adult size



KariLynn
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13 Dec 2014, 3:39 pm

During his vacation is he doing something he is proud of doing or is excited to do? I am asking to determine if his anxiety is stress related. If you remove stress does it reduce?


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nursemum
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13 Dec 2014, 4:09 pm

School is his biggest stressor. He is moving to a high school next year, whom celebrate diversity. He has a Transition plan for this. He is looking forward to the holidays, but also can get very lonely. He has good friends, but all they want to do is go to malls and basically do nothing. We are not going away for a holiday this year, as often this can also be a source of anxiety for him. We are saving for an overseas holiday in 2016, which is something we all want to do. He spends a lot of time on his computer, not just gaming but researching information and socialising through games. However because of his strong political views this too can produce anxiety. he enjoys swimming and biking also.



KariLynn
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13 Dec 2014, 4:36 pm

Swimming and biking are great activities for ASD kids. Does his anxiety decrease after intense activity?

Does his anxiety ever decrease? What is he doing when it does?


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