Clinical depression or teenaged angst?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-14-2003
Clinical depression or teenaged angst?
6
Thu, 11-27-2008 - 7:55pm

First let me give you some background. My mother, brother and sister all have chemical imbalances. Mom's didn't appear until she started menopause, my sister started having panic attacks at 7 and attempted suicide at 11, 13 and 29. At 42 she was involuntarly committed for 12 days for being a danger to herself. My brother started having panic attacks at age 15. Although he did not attempt suicide he tells me he seriously thought about it as did my mother. All three are medicated and are doing well right now. I have two other sisters, one is medicated and is unable to come off the meds. The other like me has never been on meds and has never had a panic attack.


I have a daughter turning 15 on Sunday. Since March she has been really emotional, crying almost daily. I took her to the pediatrician in May and he was of no help. He told her she has no reason to be sad, she has a family that loves her, she gets

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2003
Fri, 11-28-2008 - 8:09am
Without knowing your daughter or assessing/talking to her it would be difficult to diagnose her, but it does sound like she does need to talk to someone.
My siggie 2
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2007
Fri, 11-28-2008 - 8:12am
I would talk to someone else and see if you can get some help.You don't think her behavior is normal and that is important.I feel it was wrong of ped to dismiss your fears,especially if you have a history of depression in your family.It may just be a tough semester,but maybe not and if she normally wants friends around and she does not now that is another red flag.Did she used to be able to handle a heavy work load at school?I do think the amt of work these kids get today can cause undo stress.That said it can not hurt to get a second opinion,if only for your piece of mind.Your dd's behavior could be normal or it could not be normal and only a dr can say for sure.However telling a 14/15 year old they have nothing to be depressed about is just wrong in so many ways,Especially if your dd is clincally depressed becasue she can not help how she feels and telling her something like that can make it worse.Get another opinion asap,just to be safe.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 11-28-2008 - 8:54am

I think this is one of those "do no harm" moments. I would find her a good counselor (one who specializes in adolescence) and take her. Let them make this decision. That she didn't shoot down your idea immediately tells me that SHE would like someone to talk to. I also sense that your mommy instincts are giving off a bit of a warning and I think that a mother's internal alarm is one of the most reliable things out there, listen to your inner voice.

It certainly could be teenage angst, and hopefully it is. But many a teenager ends up on a bad path that changes their life forever, only because they felt so alone in their problems.

I would take her to someone, hopefully someone she can connect to, if she doesn't need it, you are not harming her; if she does, you might be really helping her through what could be a difficult transition in her life.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2006
Fri, 11-28-2008 - 10:36am

Hi , Kelly


If you feel that she is acting different then what she usually does and acting as if something is wrong --

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2003
Sun, 11-30-2008 - 9:54am
Hi Kelly...I agree with those who said that a mothers instinct is not something to be ignored. You feel in your heart that something is wrong. No one knows your child like you do.

 

Avatar for bradleyteach
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2001
Sun, 11-30-2008 - 10:07am

Hugs Kelly, I'm sorry that your teen is having a tough time. I hope that she's enjoying her birthday.


Whether it's teen angst or clinical depression, seeing a mental health professional is a good idea.

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