Side effect of Paxil/Need help! - Mental Health Message Board

mstenglein · 04-23-2004, 06:22 AM

My son was diagnosed with social anxiety at age of 16 and put on Paxil by this doctor. Approx 3-4 months later, he began acting out in school and doing things completely against his character (walking out of class because he "didn't feel like being there any longer", talking back to teachers, and pretty much doing "what he pleased"). I thought it was a teenage phase but was advised by the school therapist (confirmed by his doctor) that this was a possible side effect of the paxil. Basically, the drug worked TOO WELL, and all of his previous inhibitions were GONE!!! He now had NO inhibitions and could care less about the consequences of his behavior. At the time, I was given a name for this "side effect" of paxil, but have lost that information since then. I am in desperate need of the name of this side effect at this time, and am having a very difficult time finding it anywhere on-line. Can anyone help me?

crabbyroad · 04-23-2004, 08:04 AM

Could it be mania/hypomania? Some characteristics are behaving or risk taking with disregard of consequences. Ie, what you described, excessive spending habits, some are more prononuced such as extreme happy, happy, happy! Paxil has now recently by the FDA required to put on labeling and doctors show be aware, it is not to be administered to children under the age of 18. Even people over 18 receive this type side effect.

spreeville · 04-23-2004, 10:06 AM

Paxil should NEVER be prescribed to those under the age of 18. There are many warnings out there today which state that Paxil can cause suicidal tendencies, especially in teenagers. I personally don't think it should be prescribed to anyone. I was on Paxil for years and realized the potential damaging effects it can have.

If he were my son, I would take him off of it ASAP, slowly of course. I disagree with what you've been told by the doctor, his actions are not a side effect of Paxil. It looks like his true self coming out, a side of him that was held back by the anxiety.

Don't want you to think I'm just throwing out opinions, I study psychology.

ADHDboy · 04-28-2004, 08:53 PM

i got paxil because i act out in class and im 16

Sandalla · 05-05-2004, 05:11 PM

BE VERY, VERY, VERY CAREFUL about taking him off Paxil!!!

You need to do this E-X-T-R-E-M-E-L-Y slowly.

As bad as he may be ON the Paxil, he could be ONE THOUSAND times WORSE while withdrawing.

DO IT EXTREMELY SLOWLY (GRADUALLY) ... weeks, if necessary, at each smaller doseage. And watch him like a hawk for any signs of inner restlessness, agitation, aggression, etc. If this does happen, DO NOT ignore it! These feelings can be so intense, they cause adults as well as kids, to resort to extreme actions. Another temporary solution can be to switch over to Prozac and withdraw him off that slowly. (Prozac has the longest half-life, Paxil has a very short half-life.)

Hopefully, this will not happen, and things will go smoothly. But please be alert.