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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So glad your son feels comfortable to talk to you , that is wonderful!
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I'm so glad to hear that your DS agreed to seeing a counselor next week. Do not let him change his mind. As we were getting ready to leave the house for our first session, my DS was saying, "This is so stupid, I don't know why I have to go. Can't you just call and cancel?" And I replied with a firm, "No, we're going."
It must be hard dealing with all this during your own recovery from surgery. I hope both you and your DS soon feel that you're lives are back to normal. Hugs to you.
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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM
i hadnt got any emails that anyone had replied latley and just thought id check the thread.
glad i did- all the support here is making me know this is the right decision.
Ds went to visit a college thursday, came home really down at first. The criteria to make it in the program is so overwhelming. Later that night he opened up about the how the professor said he would place him in the top ten of his current class-based on his talent. "I said that sounds like he thinks something of your talent - he didnt have to tell yout that." The opened the door for him to look a the postive aspects of the visit...and he seemed more positive about the experience after that. This is what i am hoping the counsler can help hims see. a parent can only do so much.
Well the appointment for monday is still a go. I ask him last night if i needed to call to get him out of school early or what and he told me. He drives to school, but is meeting me at home so we can go together - but at least that means he still knows i plan on him going.
i thought i posted this - this morning - but apparently something didnt work.
Ds and i went to counselor yesterday. She talked with both of us for 40 minutes and then him for about ten minutes. He said he had a few things he would like to say without me there. that was fine. but then she called me back and he said he didnt want to go back again.
She said she felt he was depressed and could benefit from counseling and since he didnt want to come back- i could come and she would discuss how I could help him.
Now im torn as i need to return to work next week after being off for surgery the past month - and well there are big changes going on. Needless to say i am not sure i can fit in time for visits to counsler on top of all the stress ill have after returning to work.
So i called today and left message for her asking if she could just talk to me on the phone about how to help him. no return call as of yet.
When i mentioned meds, she said she could help only if he was in therapy. Which is why I havent taken him to dr. - just to get meds. or should we?
ok all- now what?
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Rather than you going to talk, I would try to get him to try another counselor. Perhaps he'd feel more comfortable with a male therapist. The one my son saw was a man. As we were sitting in his office DS notice a photo on his desk and said, "I know her. She goes to my school." And I thought, great, there's gonna be NO way he'll talk to this guy whose daughter goes to the same school. Of course, he gave us the scoop on confidentiality and he told us that if DS would feel more comfortable with someone else, he had no problem with it. It turned out that DS chose to stick with him for the recommended one or two more sessions.
Like Pam, I wouldn't try meds without counseling.
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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM
Nope, he has said he will not go back. It was a shot in the dark that he even went in the first place.
He says to just quit bringing up the whole thing and he wants to work past it on his own. We all know that is easier said than done- but we also know its hard to get a 17 year old to understand that. He has started in redoing his bedroom, building some things etc. - and just ordered- some new audio for his car to install. (He works and so has his own money and doesnt spend much so really couldnt say- you cant buy it unless... believe me i thought of that) So anyway he says he just wants to stay busy.
I do not get time off as im part-time (thats why i need to go back at 4 weeks out from surgery-when 6 is recommended) Thats one reason, why I dont think it would be productive for me to stop after work and try to focus on this -when im going to be exhausted just trying to make it through work.
It sounds like he's keeping himself busy and, unlike my DS, your son is open and will talk to you. Maybe he feels that, because he knows you, talking to you is more beneficial than talking to a stranger. Stay alert to any behavioral changes, and if you notice his openness with you waning, I'd definitely try to get him back in for counseling.
Rx drugs, without counseling, I'm a bit leery of. Maybe he could try 5-HTP which is supposed to boost serotonin levels, if the St. John's Wort is not helping.
For yourself, I'd ask the therapist to do a phone consult. While face-to-face is probably preferred, as long as you're totally engaged in the conversation, it should help.
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http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/october/meet_the_new_health_.php
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQTBYQlQ7yM
Is there a school counselor that maybe he can talk to? My DD has found that she is more comfortable with her school counselor than any of her "paid for" therapists. She can talk to the school's counselor about anything!!! Just a thought.
Part of me really thinks he can overcome this on his own and with our help at home. He has alot going for him, he's a leader, well liked by teachers and at work, musically talented and great looking kid- which doesnt hurt either. Its amazing he doesnt see these things in himself but still portrays them to others and this of course is the the bigger picture and keeps me knowing we have to be realistic and deal with this.
what is 5htp? that is one i havent heard of.
school counselor is useless as fars as reaching kids emotional needs. This is not just ds opinion but many parents in district. Hes one of those biding his time until retirement.
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