May 6th, 2009 
admin 
I had a very busy afternoon yesterday and it has been a long morning. Where shall I begin?
My 17-year-old son told me a few weeks ago that he was having issues with anxiety and depression. We waited a little while to see if it would pass but he recently began having panic attacks and things were getting much worse. He came to me and asked me for help so I made him an appointment with my doctor. Unfortunately, he was out because of a death in the family so we ended up seeing his stand in yesterday afternoon. I cannot stand the woman at all.
Anyway, he explained to her what he had been dealing with. Let me say that my son smokes cigarettes. I am not thrilled about it but he lives with his grandmother so the most I can do is try to nudge him towards quitting. I do not buy them for him. Having said that, this woman had some nerve. She told him that smoking caused his anxiety, loss of appetite and insomnia. She went on to say that all of his symptoms could be explained by smoking and she suggested that he take 30 minute walks each day…to help his depression. Are you kidding me? I understand explaining to him that smoking is harmful to your health. I really do. My son was afraid and ashamed to go to the doctor and I stressed to him that it was important to be completely honest so they would know exactly what was going on and how to treat it. This is why he was honest and told them that he smokes. Again, I am not happy he smokes but I was proud of him for being honest. How can I expect him to be honest with the doctor if she threatens, belittles and makes light of his issues? Oh yes. She belittled him and then threatened him with legal repercussions for smoking. She made light of his concerns by telling him everything was caused by him smoking. This poor kid is trying to reach out for help because he can no longer deal with the depression and the doctor basically tells him that it is all his fault. He already feels like he is worthless and can’t do anything right so let’s just tell him that he caused his depression. Lovely, doc.
Like I said, I am not happy about him smoking but good god. This kid is reaching out for help for depression and she all but slaps him in the face. Honestly, lady. Do you think I haven’t tried to tell him it is bad for him? Do you think I haven’t tried to talk him into quitting? Do you think I condone it? She asked him who bought them for him because she thought I did. Seriously? I know there are parents who do buy cigarettes for their kid but I am not one of them. Anyway, enough about the smoking already. My son is depressed and possibly suicidal. He needs help now. You can give him a lecture later. He doesn’t need you to make him feel worse about himself right now.
I honestly was beginning to think she wasn’t going to give him anything. She finally decided to write him a prescription for Lexapro. I have taken a lot of medications over the years but this is one I have not taken. I asked her if he should watch for any particular side effects. She said, “Oh no. This is one that doesn’t have side effects.” Really? Everything I have read about antidepressants causing suicidal thoughts and an increased risk of suicide in children, teens and young adults and you don’t even mention that he should come back immediately if he has any thoughts of suicide? I guess the smoking issue was more important. I will look up Lexapro and warn him about potential side effects myself so he can let me know. He has to go back in two weeks and thankfully my regular doctor will be there. I will never take him to her again.
C’mon, doc. Let’s focus on pulling him out of his depression and then you can tackle the smoking issue. Doesn’t that make more sense?
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