Risperidone?

[levi]

I'm 15 years old and have been depressed for a long time now. I've only told people in the last three months and since then I've seen a few doctors. There were recently two incidents which I ended up in hospital afterwards. The first was when I went out with my friends and got so drunk I got alcohol poisoning. I used to drink to give myself confidence and then stayed sober for months, so my tolerance for alcohol went down. I haven't drank since and won't, it's not an addicted thing. The second was when I took an overdose of 7 paracetamol, 8 co-codamol and 15 aspirin before school. When I got to school I couldn't breathe or keep my eyes open properly and was pale and shaky. On both occasions, I saw a psychiatrist on the ward who reviewed me and then discharged me.

I saw her again today and she has put me on medication starting straight away. I am on Risperidone and also something else which will calm me down and help me sleep, also stop me being so implusive but I can't remember the
name. I thought it was strange how she put me on medication when she hadn't tried anything else first. I thought usually they were extremely cautious when giving anti-depressants to children so this confused me a little.

What are the side effects I might find on the medication, or difficulties?

[Velvet]

Some people can have side effects from Rispiridone,others are fine, it is one of the older anti psychotics and therefore used first, mainly because it does work and is cheaper than the newer meds available.
The doctor will have prescribed these because you must be at a significant risk to yourself .
They will take two weeks before you will feel the true effects and I suggest you stick with it, as until then you really can't say.

good luck

[Velvet]

Some people can have side effects from Rispiridone,others are fine, it is one of the older anti psychotics and therefore used first, mainly because it does work and is cheaper than the newer meds available.
The doctor will have prescribed these because you must be at a significant risk to yourself .
They will take two weeks before you will feel the true effects and I suggest you stick with it, as until then you really can't say.

good luck

[gotta luv da Li]

Talk to your parents about getting a second opinion. It almost sounds like you are being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Risperidone is an antipsychotic that is used for bipolar to help control mania or hypomania (lesser level of mania) which might be related to the impulsivity. Risperidone is a good drug for some, but one of it's side effects is elevation or prolactin levels which is not such a good thing. My psychiatrist only rarely prescribes it for this reason. It also does not have an antidepressant effect (which might be covered by your other med). There are other options.

Yes, you should have been given a referral to a good therapist whether placed on meds or not. If you weren't, that is something you and your family should pursue anyway.