Expert: Paul Johnson - 3/26/2011

Question
My 17 year old son has Aspergers and is severely depressed.  He is on 10 mg. Lexapro and 20 mg. of abilify.  He psychologist increased his Lexapro to 20 mg. per day. He has been on Wellbutrin, Lithium, resperadal, among others and they made him worse. The Lexapro/abilify really don't help much more they kind of keep on a status quo but when he increased Lexapro for about a week now, he is sleeping right after school mostly all the way straight through til the next morning.  He has trouble with resentment, angry outbursts, self pity, lack of motivation, etc.
What can we do?  He has been to a enterologist and they said he hormones are at normal levels. I am worried about him taking medicine for such a long time - since he was about 11.  We are more worried about him now than ever! Please help.

Answer
Hey Carol,

Thank you for your heart felt question.

As you know I am a Psychotherapist and not a Psychiatrist. As such I do not know how to address the specificities of your pharmacological concerns. I will say there are many web sites address the natural remedies on Autism and maybe there is some wisdom there about natural means by which to treat your son. With my 16 year old Aspie I use a weighted blanket and music.