I am so very GLAD you are taking time to research the medications. Every person reacts differently to medications, but I think we need to be as educated as possible about medications.
What do they think the diagnosis is? A troubled kid? Or are they talking about bipolar, adhd, aspergers, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), or something else?
If they are even wondering about bipolar, PLEASE get a different medication. So very many of us just jumped right in iwth the medications with-o researching them. Then we learn better. People with bipolar often cannot tolerate antidepressants or stimulants. It makes the moods cycle. Often the cycling continues LONG after the A/D or stimulant is stopped. Some have had problems for a year or longer!!!
IF they are going to take him off an A/D, there IS a trick that can help. Most of the newer SSRIs only stay in the body a short time. Effexor, for one example, is in the body about a day. If you are just an HOUR or so late for your next dose you will start to have withdrawal symptoms.
Prozac is in the body much longer. Several weeks, in fact. So a single 20mg dose of prozac can help manage withdrawal symptoms when you are stopping an SSRI. I found this out when dealing iwth my own effexor withdrawal. It made sense (when looking at the amt of time the medications are in the system) and I ended up taking 3 doses of prozac, each 2 weeks apart. It really made life much better.
While docs often tell you the withdrawal isn't a problem, they are mistaken. A look at the info on the internet about the withdrawal gives a much different story. My regular doctor is now doing the prozac to help with this, but until I spoke with her about it she didn't know anything about it.
IF I had to start this rollercoaster over we woudl start with lithium, depakote, abilify or one of the other mood stabilizers LONG before we did an A/D. But that is us.
You must figure out what is right for you. The website
www.loveandlogic.com has been very helpful to us. It is a program my husband could "get", and it let us be n the same page.
You might want to talk with the therapist, and/or get some idea of the diagnosis before you start the medications.
Hugs, this is a tough time.
Susie