DS admits to being Depressed- NOW WHAT
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DS admits to being Depressed- NOW WHAT
| Sun, 01-06-2008 - 12:12pm |
Hello all, My 17 years old is a good kid, with no problems in behavior, school or much in the else except occational moodiness. But he did finally admit he is depressed, which i knew for a while - he just needed to say it. He has given us a couple scares, talking about suicide on his myspace. We've talked it about it- and it seems to pass- but like i said now he's said he just wants to get rid of the down mood. Anyhow he's willing to see the dr and find out about meds.(Note: we have tried St.Johns wort for about a year and it worked for a while- but not anymore) He doesnt feel talking to a stranger will help. Since he talks with us quiet a bit, im willing to just try the dr. thing at this point.
So has anyone had any GOOD luck with any type of medications, Which ones work better for mild depression in this age group? i know everyones different, just looking for a starting base.
thanks in advance, worried mom.
So has anyone had any GOOD luck with any type of medications, Which ones work better for mild depression in this age group? i know everyones different, just looking for a starting base.
thanks in advance, worried mom.

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You're lucky your DS will talk to you. Last year when our DS, at the same age, was depressed, he held everything inside and that was scary, not knowing what he was thinking. He finally did agree to counseling and needed just a couple sessions cuz his depression was was mostly due to a single incident. Because our DS is so shy/quiet to begin with, the therapist did say he felt limited because DS did not easily open up to him. And I know he is a good therapist.
From everything I read, for adolescents with lingering emotional troubles, a combination of therapy and meds is better than either one alone. If your DS will talk to you, I bet a therapist wouldn't have too much trouble getting him to open up. Ask around for references--I know it feels awkward exposing your DS's troubles, but you'll be surprised how many other teens also have problems. When asking friends or school counselors, you don't have to go into detail--just say you're worried because your DS has been so down lately, and you wondered if they know of anyone who could recommend a therapist who works well with teens.
Mental health problems no longer have the social stigma they did years ago. It was my boss who referred us to the therapist to whom she'd sent her daughter 10 years ago. I never would have guessed her children ever had troubles. In my eyes she was the perfect woman, mother, teacher, everything. Only when I told her how worried I was about DS did she tell me about her daughter's struggles.
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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM
thanks for you thoughts on counseling. i will bring it up to him again.
The depression started a couple of years ago. he has always had girlfriends from first grade on... but this one got him into an anorexia state, he lost 30 lbs, before we knew what was going on... we had him tested for gallbladder etc. then we found out when they broke up he was cutting himself- to feel the pain. like i said he does talk to me - just after the fact.
His latest bout worsened when another girlfriend- he thought would be forever, broke it off with him after a year and half together. This happened at the end of last summer and the few monthes were touch and go... I thought maybe he was getting past it, but when i ask if he was trying out for the school play- which he always does. HE said he couldnt, as she would be in it. It frustrates me that still gives her this much power.
He is an outgoing kid, a great musician, has been accepted at three of his colleges of choice. He is worried how he will pay for them (and we can only help so much), how he will do etc.. which I think now is contributing to the depression.
after writing all this.. i do think counseling would be a good answer for him too. i will bring it up to the dr.
Do any of you know if I can make suer the counseler is aware of some of the above mentioned items before he meets with them? not sure how that works.
thanks again.
You need your son to be on some type of medication.
My DS saw a councelor for a little while last year after a terrible event (the other story I have still not gone into on this board yet)
You should really email/call Pam, the CL on this board. Her DS also had an eating disorder. She'll be a great source of support.
In case you're not familiar with the boards, look above the list of discussion topics and you'll see: Your community leader is ....... When you click on Pam's screenname her profile pops up and you can click on "send email" at the top.
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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM
I have to admit anti-depres. scare the heck out me. i had what i now know what post partum depression after he was born, they put me on prozac and i had suicidal thoughts the first week. Thank god my dh was home when it happended. but NEVER again. found anti- anxiety meds worked better for me. Thats why we tried the st. johns wort for him- plus he still cant swallow a pill and they made that in liquid. Wondering if we just increased the dosage on the wort if that would help as he is taking a low dose?
I think the others are right in that you should encourage your ds to get some counselling along with possibly getting on meds.
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