Question: Enquiring about use of Lexapro. My daughter commenced it last year, and although in 1st 6 months she reports it assisted with her anxiety, she reported no improvement with depression symptoms. After 6months she had a significant life event (breakup with partner after 3yrs), and her depression symptoms exasperated. She commenced self harming (cutting, punching), and this occurred each month during her menstrual cycle. In the past 3 months, she has commenced a new relationship. Her partner is diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Her self harming has now increased, as the relationship appears quite codependent. In your opinion, is Lexapro suitable to her condition? Or is it exasperating her depressive symptoms? She was also hospitalised recently for suicidal ideation.

Hi, Thank you for your information. When my daughter was admitted to hospital briefly (3 days) recently, the treating Psychiatrist also questioned possibility of BPD, due to increased self harm and intense angers. They also recommended increasing Lexapro from 10mg to 20mg daily.
When attending her own Psychiatrist however, she had a different point of view. She had thorough history, and discussed that my daughter was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 3 years prior (genetic predisposition and exasperation from school bullying), her mental health had been stable, without requiring use of medication, and treatment throughout that time was visiting a Psychologist monthly. She totally disagreed with BPD, and discussed that my daughter had not dealt with the grief/loss of her 3 yr relationship. She also discussed that she had entered a toxic relationship to avoid dealing with her emotions, and that that person was abusive, unstable (diagnosis of schizophrenia/bipolar/prior substance abuse), therefore exasperating her own emotions. The Psychiatrist further discussed that my daughter had behavioural issues and was rebelling, rather than BPD. She additionally did not recommend an increase in Lexapro, nor a mood stabiliser. She recommended CBT and DBP through a Psychologist. My concern is the Lexapro? My daughter commenced suicidal ideation after commencing it. Her depression has also significantly worsened. I am querying whether this medication is having a negative effect on her health? I will talk to my daughter about online therapy, however at this stage, she will only engage with her Psychologist of 3 years.


I should also mention, her recent hospitalisation was due to self harm, and experiencing a demonic voice in her head. The Psychiatrist advised that her new relationship was impacting negatively upon her own Mental Health, and that she was taking on emotions/symptoms of her partner.