StevieP
NES Member
I'm not sure what I want this thread to be about. I guess I'll just start.
My college senior son recently informed me that he's going on Prozac. In my opinion, he's a great, normal kid just going through life, and shouldn't need to do this. He's had a non-typical upbringing (my ex and I split when he was 5. I re-married, she did too but is now re-divorced). I've been the 'custodial parent' since he was 13 or so. Both my sons moved here with lots of back and forth visitation up until his senior year in HS when she screwed up and they didn't talk much for a while. Relations have improved recently, but she just moved to FL a couple weeks ago.
He's a very smart kid. Takes advanced placement and honors classes throughout high school and college (scholarships). He's always been content to spend time alone, reading, game-playing, etc. He is musical, and plays several instruments including guitar and bass.
He's confident in many situations (with co-workers, school-, band-, and room-mates, etc.) I have SEEN him be an effective leader and organizer. He has a small circle of good friends, and a looser group of acquaintances.
At the same time he's awkward and uncomfortable in other settings (certain social and family situations, girls, etc.). He is not into sports at all. He's tall, slim, and most would say, handsome (minus a lifetime of bad haircuts). He does wear glasses.
He has a good understanding of a lot of the "bad" going on in the world (thanks to the Internet, and growing up with instant access to news and events), and seems to take a lot of weight on his shoulders for things that are out of his control. My wife said that a few years ago he related to her that he'd had thoughts of "what would life be like without him" but hadn't actually contemplated doing anything to harm himself.
He says he finds himself in an annoyed or frustrated mood (I think he gets a lot of this from me), and that as much as he tries, he can't "will himself" to be happy or in a good mood. I think he maybe regrets some choices he's made, wrt his choice of college major, and has some significant concerns as to how he's going to make his way in the world. He knows he doesn't want to go it alone in life, and doesn't want to grow to be a multiple cat-loving forty year-old virgin.
His counselor, and his mother (who I recently learned from him has been on it for two years), both recommended he consider Prozac. He's done a shit-ton of research, and really wants to give it a try to see if it helps provide the desired result -- that being a happier him who is more upbeat and sociable.
If it helps him enough to where he can find a girlfriend (or Hell, even just get laid), I think that monkey off his back would give him the boost of confidence to get OFF the pills and get on with life.
I'd like to hear from anyone who's either been on an SSRI such as this, or is involved with a close family member or friend, to gain some perspective above and beyond what's in the literature.
How prevalent and severe are the possible side-effects? As a father, I think I'm most concerned about the issue of "side-effects," whether physical or psychological. I don't want to lose any part of my son.
To make this "board related" I will say that I am already taking steps to keep my guns even more secure than they already are. All guns are always locked when not under my direct control. He's a chef, so I can't do much about other dangers he may come into contact with.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses.
My college senior son recently informed me that he's going on Prozac. In my opinion, he's a great, normal kid just going through life, and shouldn't need to do this. He's had a non-typical upbringing (my ex and I split when he was 5. I re-married, she did too but is now re-divorced). I've been the 'custodial parent' since he was 13 or so. Both my sons moved here with lots of back and forth visitation up until his senior year in HS when she screwed up and they didn't talk much for a while. Relations have improved recently, but she just moved to FL a couple weeks ago.
He's a very smart kid. Takes advanced placement and honors classes throughout high school and college (scholarships). He's always been content to spend time alone, reading, game-playing, etc. He is musical, and plays several instruments including guitar and bass.
He's confident in many situations (with co-workers, school-, band-, and room-mates, etc.) I have SEEN him be an effective leader and organizer. He has a small circle of good friends, and a looser group of acquaintances.
At the same time he's awkward and uncomfortable in other settings (certain social and family situations, girls, etc.). He is not into sports at all. He's tall, slim, and most would say, handsome (minus a lifetime of bad haircuts). He does wear glasses.
He has a good understanding of a lot of the "bad" going on in the world (thanks to the Internet, and growing up with instant access to news and events), and seems to take a lot of weight on his shoulders for things that are out of his control. My wife said that a few years ago he related to her that he'd had thoughts of "what would life be like without him" but hadn't actually contemplated doing anything to harm himself.
He says he finds himself in an annoyed or frustrated mood (I think he gets a lot of this from me), and that as much as he tries, he can't "will himself" to be happy or in a good mood. I think he maybe regrets some choices he's made, wrt his choice of college major, and has some significant concerns as to how he's going to make his way in the world. He knows he doesn't want to go it alone in life, and doesn't want to grow to be a multiple cat-loving forty year-old virgin.
His counselor, and his mother (who I recently learned from him has been on it for two years), both recommended he consider Prozac. He's done a shit-ton of research, and really wants to give it a try to see if it helps provide the desired result -- that being a happier him who is more upbeat and sociable.
If it helps him enough to where he can find a girlfriend (or Hell, even just get laid), I think that monkey off his back would give him the boost of confidence to get OFF the pills and get on with life.
I'd like to hear from anyone who's either been on an SSRI such as this, or is involved with a close family member or friend, to gain some perspective above and beyond what's in the literature.
How prevalent and severe are the possible side-effects? As a father, I think I'm most concerned about the issue of "side-effects," whether physical or psychological. I don't want to lose any part of my son.
To make this "board related" I will say that I am already taking steps to keep my guns even more secure than they already are. All guns are always locked when not under my direct control. He's a chef, so I can't do much about other dangers he may come into contact with.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses.
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
