Plano, TX
A 55-year-old male asked:
would ssri benefit 11 years old boy who has sever anxiety, phobia, and ocd. while the most talkative at home, he is not talking in public or school.
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Jay Park answered
Pediatrics 50 years experience
Professional help: He seems to need help from mental health professional.
4115 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Lynne Weixel answered
Clinical Psychology 36 years experience
IMHO: I understand that this type of medication has become common practice in such cases but I am not personally comfortable with it. Young patients can respond with seriously bad responses and before going that route, i'd recommend high quality psychotherapy targeted at ocd and phobia/anxiety - cbt has a very good record and no side effects. If needed, drugs can be added. Best!
4115 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Ted Saha answered
Palliative Care 43 years experience
Anxiety/ Phobia: Hopefully he has been evaluated by a child psychiatrist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoeducation of parents and child, school intervention, and medications, such as ssris ( 1st line tr); 2nd line-benzodiazepines for short term; 3rd line-- buspirone. If every thing fails antipsychotics may be useful in high levels of agitation. Cbt are the best supported interventions. Early tr improves prog.
4115 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Johanna Fricke commented
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics 50 years experience
Sounds like Selective Mutism, so a diagnostic interview to search for a possible underlying traumatic event has to be done by a skilled therapist who can handle a flood of affect, if such occurs.
May 2, 2014
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Last updated Sep 11, 2015
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