My 17 year old son has been on lexapro for about 9 months, for severe anxiety. In that time he has made several suicide attempts and has now started seeing monsters in the dark (hallucinations). I know that teenage suicide can be linked to SSRIs and that hallucinations have been mentioned as a possible side effect. I'm seriously thinking about taking him off the Lexapro to see if these symptoms disappear. He is seeing a psychologist, maybe the talking therapy would be enough? Does anyone else have experience of Lexapro and teenagers or these kind of side effects?
Teenagers and lexapro?
Question posted by Meren on 13 Dec 2012
Last updated on 10 June 2018 by Raffie48
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3 Answers
Raffie48
11 June 2018
Call Dr immediately and get him weened off the drug. That is all side effects and move off the SSRI meds completely.
theresa06
16 Aug 2013
It's so tricky like which came first the chicken or the egg. Is he having the suicide attempts because of the severe Anxiety that the medication is not helping or As a direct result of the med. suicidal thoughts are linked to meds and that age group however I know u posted awhile ago I hope things got better
kaismama
13 Dec 2012
This is the problem with treating kids with anti depressents. He needs to see a psychiatrist for medication orders. Obviously lexapro is not for him, but he needs something. Don't stop the lexapro yourself, a doc should be involved with this. He can have withdrawals if its stopped abruptly.
Related topics
lexapro, depression, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, suicide, hallucination, teenager
Further information
- Lexapro uses and safety info
- Lexapro prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lexapro (detailed)
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