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Depression & Anxiety in Teens & Preteens
|Questions about Depression
|Questions about Medications
2013 Discussions
''Normal'' teen moodiness? or depression?
Sept 2013
We have a high school freshman, a lovely, sweet 14 year old girl. She has been telling me that she often feels overwhelmed with sadness. She says it is not from anything in particular, or anything she can point to directly. She says sometimes it lasts for only half a day, but other times, she feels it lasts several days. Her grandmother suffers from depression, and she has a few cousins who suffer from OCD (I know these are two different types of issues, but they may go hand in hand; I don't know). For the record, she is well liked, comfortable with herself and others socially, and does not have any bullying issues at school.
My question is, how does one know what is ''normal'' teen mood fluctuation and something more severe? She has said to me a few times that she thinks she need ''medication.'' Not sure how to help
I think your daughter would benefit from an evaluation. Her feelings of sadness come out of nowhere and can last several days. She's saying she thinks she needs medication. Listen to these things, and get her evaluated ASAP. I am not a physician or psychologist, but I believe strongly you should hear her comments as cries for help. don't delay
I am sorry to hear your daughter is suffering, you must be worried. My youngest daughter, also super sweet, expressed anxiety over a number of years. I would suggest going to a therapist and she would resist. I finally put my foot down and insisted we went to see someone. After her second visit yesterday, my daughter says her [north bay] therapist is 'wonderful'. My daughter is feeling much more relaxed about dealing with her anxiety.
Your daughter is sending clear signals that she needs some expert help. Sometimes we need to give a little push to get the momentum going in a good direction. I am so relieved my daughter has an expert resource to help her moving forward. Therapy is expensive, but in retrospect I feel our family should have invested more in therapy over the years. It's one of the best things you can do to help your family. mother of a 17 and 21 year old girl
As you've noted, all teens go through mood changes, & it can be difficult to tell what's normal. Your daughter talking about being overwhelmed by her emotions on several occasions, saying she needs meds, & the fact that her grandmom suffered from depression are all signs that it is time for you to talk with your daughter's MD about her distress & get her some help. Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic on teen depression symptoms: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-depression/DS01188/DSECTION=symptoms Thank you for reaching out for your daughter! Renee
This is something that is difficult to define or quantify. But it sounds as if your teen is telling you that what she is feeling is troubling for her, and that is something to take seriously. Teens with depression can benefit greatly from treatment, including psychotherapy. There are many good therapists in the east bay who work well with adolescents and their families. I can recommend Carolina Bacchi, PsyD, 510-594-4314, Frankie Bashan, PsyD 415-992-6273, Kate White, MFT, (408) 396-5237, and Cynthia Cohn, PsyD 415-820-1688. Ilene
First, pretty sure there is a wide range of ''normal'' when it comes to teenage moodiness But our experience is that you should take seriously your daughter's expression of ''overwhelming sadness.'' Our teen does well in school and is also ''well liked, comfortable with herself and others socially, and does not have any bullying issues at school'' and we tended to dismiss complaints about anxiety -- but after some serious events last year she now sees a therapist. Wish we had paid more attention earlier.
Recommend you start with your family doctor or pediatrician who can talk to your daughter privately; help determine if the moodiness is related to her cycle; counsel her about the effects of diet and excercise on mood; order blood tests to make sure there are no issues related to thyroid, anemia, or diabetes; and if necessary, recommend a therapist. Our pediatrician was incredibly helpful with this process and worked to form a personal relationship with our teen which went a long way to making her receptive to therapy. The therapist is slowly but surely helping her handle her anxieties. Good luck. Anonymous
Depressed 16 year old won't go out, refuses therapy
April 2013
We have a 16 year old daughter who went from a bright eyed, content, wonderful student, to a self destructive, dark, highly irritable and angry young lady who was struggling to keep grades up from the end of freshman year to know (end off sophomore year). When we found out she was cutting, we placed her in a partial hospitalization program at El Camino Hospital for 8 weeks. This helped. Since that time, we have had trouble finding after care which worked for her -- she refuses to do 1:1 therapy or take meds, so we have looked at and tried other programs, including Clearwater and John Muir. While she is getting to school and barely getting work done, when she is home, she is in bed (reading or drawing) 24/7, refusing to come out except for dinner with us. She says she doesn't want to be around us. She has only one or two friends. Her hygiene is atrocious, and she dresses like a homeless person nowadays -- unkempt, doesnt change underwear, always wearing a hat and glasses that she doesnt need ... While those in the outside would say she is doing ok, yet less than interactive, we feel that she is simply surviving -- takes joy in nothing. We take her phone at 9pm and she has no internet access after that time. We are grappling with what to do or where to turn! We have called countless resources, therapists, etc ... and everything that is recommended either seems to have a waiting list of months or is 1:1 therapy. Any ideas? We are starting to think we need to send her away to a residential program if she is so miserable with us, but WHERE? We have to other kids who seem to like us fine, so I really dont think it's all us! DESPERATE HOUSEWIFE
I highly recommend getting in touch with Coyote Coast Youth and Family Counseling in Orinda. Look at their website, talk to Alex Georgakopoulos, the Director. They know teens and young adults and offer family therapy, group therapy, individual counseling, and mentoring. Our 15-year-old son was on a long downward slide and we searched high and low for people who understood struggling teens and their families, offered a variety of services and would coordinate care with other professionals, including school officials and doctors. Their wraparound approach has been an immense help to us. They may recommend a more intensive environment for your daughter. Our son went to a wilderness program last year and had a transformative experience. Our perilous journey continues, but we feel so much less desperate now with the support we get from the Coyote Coast therapists. Hang in there. Lorilyn
I have been where you are and it is a heartbreaking place to be. Some teens just won't let us parent them, and is is not unusual for other children in the same family to thrive with the same parents. My own daughter left just before her 16th birthday to attend first a wilderness and then a therapeutic boarding school program. She is now 24 and thriving. I encourage you to look at our website willowsinthewind.com and attend our Oakland meeting tomorrow. There you will meet many parents struggling with similar issues. Before you decide to send your daughter away, you may want to try what is sometimes called a transition program. These include a therapist for the adults and a mentor for the teen. Unlike more conventional therapists, these people will come to your home and take your daughter to Starbucks or to look for a job or on a long hike - whatever it takes to begin getting to know her and establish a relationship with her. If you truly feel she need to be sent away, I encourage you to find an educational consultant to help you find an appropriate placement for your daughter. When you come to the Willows meeting, we can share some names of transitional program providers as well as educational consultants. Meanwhile feel free to phone or email me just to get some support. It's a difficult journey your are beginning. 650-996-0897 R
I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's struggles. Our daughter had similar issues when she started high school. (cutting, bulimia) It's been a long, stressful journey, but she is doing so much better now.
I know it's difficult, but getting her into therapy is essential. Would she be open to group therapy? DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) was the most useful therapy for my daughter. It addresses exactly what your daughter is struggling with ,distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. When the teens in this group experience strong emotions, they tend to deal with them in self destructive ways. DBT gives them tools so that they can react in a healthy way. There is a very cheap teen group DBT program offered occasionally through Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona, She's at the East Bay Behavior therapy center Psy.D. 510-486-8998. This was very cheap since its taught by grad students. We found it not as good as some of the pricier DBT groups, but if it's all one can afford it's definitely worth going.
I would also like to recommend my daughter's therapist, Dr. J.J. Kelley (510)841-8484 x1146. I don't know what we would have done with out her. My daughter actually likes to go. She's amazing with teens!
My daughter also joined a teen meditation group which was very helpful. Meditation is useful in helping the teens feel their emotions again and to learn to just be with their strong emotions with out reacting in a self destructive way. Also, something else to consider. A lot of my daughters troubles stemmed from an undiscovered learning disability. She did great academically through middle school but then she could no longer compensate for her L.D. when the work in high school got more difficult. She was struggling so much with the learning problem that she took it out on herself.
It can help to find some compassion for yourself and especially for her. Your daughter must be in a lot of pain. I hope some of this will help. My heart goes out to you. Been there
Asperger Teen with Depression has considered suicide
March 2013
My very bright 17yr old daugher suffers from depression and has has considered suicide, but assures me that she would not attempt it because she loves me and knows I would never get over her death. She is seeing a therapist, but is opposed to taking medications for fear they will affect her creativity or make her not feel like herself (she is a creative writer). Her few friends are also ''different'' (one is a transvestite) or emotionally unhealthy (depressed/manipulative). I am scared to death and feel like I walk on eggshells constantly, usually breaking most of them in my attempts to be loving and supportive. Any suggestions for psychiatrists or other help?
Been there, or somewhere similar. I can relate to your fears, for sure. A teen talking of suicide is to be taken seriously; stating a reason not to do it is a good sign, but a depressed teen having suicidal ideas is at risk, period. I am sure all this is overwhelming.
Your first step should be a serious talk with her therapist. You need an opinion about risk. You need an opinion about having an evaluation about medication and whether it might be appropriate. (And a plan for how to discuss that with your daughter). You need an opinion about therapy and prognosis. You need to feel confident about the therapist, to feel you and the therapist are a team, working together to help your daughter. You need to share your fears with this therapist, and see if the therapist has recommendations for you, for support, for help. Your daughter is a minor, and while a good therapist won't violate a minor's privacy, he/she should be willing to work with parents in the interest of the child.
Your daughter may resist the idea of you talking to her therapist,(lot of eggshells here), so you have to be clear that you are on her side, wanting to help, not frustrated with her or impatient. You want to convey that you want her to have a good future, free of depressive thoughts and limitations.
If you don't feel confident about her therapist and the plan to help your daughter, find professional help for yourself, so you get a second opinion and a professional ear for your concerns (and some support.) And do all this now, before your daughter's 18th birthday, when you will have far less ability to intervene, and your daughter will be no longer able to utilize services for adolescents. You mention Asperger's....if she has been diagnosed, you must already have some inroads into the professional community. Maybe start there?
Teen depression is scary, and it is very difficult not to fall into feeling helpless. Be sure to be kind to yourself.... Been thru teen depression
20 year son having severe anxiety and dropped out of college
Jan 2013
2 years ago I thought I would stop reading this forum because my son turned 18 and went to college out of state. I had no idea that I would posting in the teen newsletter as a parent of a 20 year old.
My son went thru some depression (hid the problem from us in the beginning) earlier this year which turned into a severe anxiety disorder (OCD). He never went to the college therapist as he didn't think they would help. He dropped out of the out-of-state 4-year college(after failing the winter and spring terms),and now refuses medication for his problem. He has severe panic attacks/OCD that stop him from going anywhere freely (he has a car), stays at home all day, doesn't want to look for a job, he wants to keep playing video games all day to keep himself calm. He has disconnected from all his friends (he had few to start with) due to the stigma, and doesn't want to exercise.
We are considering CBT therapy for him. But until then, he needs to occupy himself; we are looking for some volunteer position/ or a place for him to spend his day produtively until he can go to a local community college. We are working, immigrant parents, and at a loss how to help him become social again. He has no one to talk to the whole day. He has a severe reassurance seeking problem as well.
Looking for some advice desperately. Desperate mother
I'm so sorry your son is going through this. I'd put almost all your energy into getting him into CBT--I don't see how he can realistically do much else until he gets his anxiety under control.
To that end, I would make it mandatory that he attends CBT if he wants you to support him. Put your questions about how to occupy his time/support him to his CBT therapist. Hopefully you can find someone who will help you partner in the process, so that, for instance, you know what your son's exercises are so you can provide encouragement to him to do them and feedback to the therapist about whether it's happening.
My foster son has a variety of emotional problems, and that's what's worked best for us--finding a VERY good therapist and then getting advice and help from that person. This has been very effective. Before that, we were just struggling on our own to make meaning of the situation.
My other suggestion: contact your local chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Most counties have one; if you don't like yours, try a neighboring county. They offer a great peer support group class that's free and meets weekly (at least it used to). You will meet many other parents there. It will really help you. They have other services as well.
I personally don't think that anti-anxiety meds are all that helpful. They are habit-forming, and they do not get to the root of the problem, and I don't even think they're that effective. This was my experience when watching my ex go through anxiety that led to being home-bound. Your experience may vary.
And lastly, it takes great courage to overcome anxiety. You are asking your son to face major fears all the time. Imagine what you are afraid of (heights? tigers?) and picture yourself facing them day after day. It's hard. If he wants to heal, he will have to be brave. good luck to your family
My close friend was in a similar situation with her daughter a couple of years ago. She took her to a wonderful healer (whom I have also gone to), Leah Mazel. She is a very experienced and superb Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist. I'm not sure that her daughter did a lot of acupuncture. I do know that she used Chinese herbs that were very gentle. She improved steadily and is now doing quite well. The medications that they had tried were not working and had unacceptable side effects, which is why they decided to go a different direction. My friend has been ecstatic about the results. I highly recommend that you call Dr. Mazel at 510-224-5567. She is in south Berkeley; she is also very approachable and sympathetic. Best of luck! Sounds tough! C.G.
I am sorry to hear you and your son are going through this painful time. I think that it is wonderful that you are considering CBT therapy for your son - this could help him get some traction on the depression and fear symptoms (which could make it easier for him to get back to doing more healthy, productive activities again).
One outlet for social support I wanted to recommend is through the International OCD Foundation. Under their ''Find Help'' tab, they have a list of local OCD support groups, as well as online and phone OCD support groups.
I wish you and your son well on this path to recovery. Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can be helpful in terms of cognitive-behavioral therapy for your son (or provide referrals for CBT folk in the area). I also work as a mental health counselor at Chabot College in Hayward and could give feedback about beginning at a community college. Best wishes, Jennifer
2010 - 2012 Discussions
Teen Hardly Eating, Won't Go to School
Nov 2012
For about the past 3 months my son has been really down. Nothing i try works. He won't go 2 school 4 over a month though he'd always been very bright (GATE student, advanced test scores, talented writer & great @ math,etc). Though i buy & cook him food he loves, he hardly eats anything. He still wears 12 Slim jeans. If i ask what he wants, he won't answer, then refuses food i've made & eats nothing. He won't do his laundry (he's 2 big for me to do it) & is out of clothes. He showers every 14 days. He only speaks to say ''leave me alone'' stuff.
Some friends have come to talk 2 him but he still won't change. A teacher came 2 him & he went back 2 school for 1 week, then went back 2 his shell. I've tried contacting people at Berkeley High, from parent resource ctr to OCI to vice principal etc. A couple of them spoke 2 him on phone (Parent Resource Ctr. spoke on phone for 5 minutes then said ''There's nothing more i can do 4 him''). Aside from that, no one at BHS will do anything. They just say, ''It's your responsibility to get him 2 school.'' What am i supposed 2 do--whip him with a belt? He's not a baby that can be put in car & driven. I thought BHS would help him, but they just let him fall thru the cracks.
I got papers from Berkeley Indepnt. Studies for him 2 go there, just once a week 2 class. He won't complete them. It's been 1 month since he's even gone outside. He goes from bed 2 sofa & back, using computer 36 hrs straight. Hiding it doesn't work. He goes on hunger strike til i give it back. Thou' i made appts. w/ therapists he won't go. I need to find 1 that'll come here. I sound like scratched record telling him he needs to go 2 school or else his life will be ruined. He's won't listen.
He has Kaiser, but a psychologist there lied to him & now he won't see anyone there. Having Kaiser rules out many other kinds of help. We have Victims of Crime Insurance but most of those shrinks won't return phone calls. I can't pay for therapy I've taken so many parenting classes i should have a master's in it. I know of no support groups here & usually they want $20-40. a session anyway just 2 talk
My son is intelligent, loving, talented, absolutely brilliant on computer (he outsmarts tech support) but he's gone 2 the dogs & has turned into a silent, sullen, isolated computer addict. I was so enthusiastic when he started BHS, but now it's huge disappointment. I can't believe they won't help him Helpful advice only. No sarcastic, smug, judgmental or blaming comments please. I'm doing all i can. ---Fallen Thru the Cracks
I'm extremely sorry for the pain that you and your family are experiencing. I suggest that you head straight to the ER at Children's Hospital, Oakland. From the sound of your post, your son is in danger of losing his life to possibly several different causes. Depression, Anorexia, Anxiety, amongst other serious mental illnesses are severe and serious and life threatening. Please have him assessed immediately by a medical professional - a psychiatrist, MD. To be specific, not a psychologist, but a medical professional with a degree in MEDICINE. Clearly your son is in grave danger! Good luck to you and your family! a caring member of your community
I think at this point you have done all you can do and it is time for serious external intervention. It sounds like your son is in a deep and massive depression. Talking is not going to get him out of this. You need to call Kaiser if that is your insurance and say he is depressed, refusing to eat, and therefore engaged in harmful behavior.
BHS is right, this is not their problem but you are fortunate to have insurance. Call today, and if you don't get the response you want call 911 - this is a ''medical or psychological emergency!'' get help now
Your son sounds severely depressed. I don't feel any judgement for you, only sympathy. You have done all the right things so far.
Check out NAMI - the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. They do free multi-week peer education sessions. They are wonderful. In these groups you will meet other people with teeens who have mental illness, and you will learn some coping skills. And you can also ask your local NAMI chapter for resources and advice, even if you don't do the peer education sessions. If your local NAMI isn't very active/helpful, try one for another county. I attended the peer support sessions in a neighboring county because their hours were more convenient (it was a weekly commitment).
My only other thought is to call your county's legal services agency and ask them what your rights are with regard to his school. I learned the hard way that our school psychologist wasn't being completely truthful about all the services the school is mandated to provide. I remember him saying ''based on your son's outside psychological testing results, I wouldn't recommend further testing.'' He didn't say: ''Hey, if you put your request for more testing in writing, I'm REQUIRED by LAW to provide it!'' Legal services told me about that. Learn more about your rights.
I wish I had more advice for you. I understand what you're going through. You cannot MAKE a teenager do anything. He may need residential treatment. You are coping with something bigger than you can handle alone. I hope NAMI can point you in the right direction. Keep doing what you're already doing\xc3\xa2\xe2\x82\xac\xe2\x80\x9dloving your son and advocating for answers. rooting for you; be strong
With VIctims of Crime funding for therapy, you can use a therapist of your choosing, not just the ones on the list, as long as that therapist is willing to accept that funding for the therapy. You can inquire with private therapists, and you could also try West Coast Children's Clinic and other agencies may take this funding as well. DOn't give up. Your son needs help. Ilene Diamond
Dear Parent: This sounds so hard for a parent to handle, but I think you need to act soon and strongly. Not that I am a professional, but I think your son is clinically depressed and needs to be seen by a professional psychologist or psychiatrist, and perhaps even checked in to a hospital or residential facility to ''reset.'' At the risk of frightening you, it sounds to me like he might be in danger of hurting himself or even considering suicide. If you cannot convince him to go to a counselor or to be checked in to the local mental health facility (I believe it it Herrick Hospital in Berkeley, if you are in the Summit system), you may need to call 911 and have him ''5150''ed, which means having him checked in against his will. It may be that something as simple as taking anti-depressants could give him a whole new lease on life, but more likely, this will be the beginning of a process which he will continue for his life. My heart goes out to you. A sympathetic mom
Wondering if there is any chance you can change his insurance to a better company such as Blue Shield. Prompted by your story I did a Google search on Kaiser's mental health benefits to see if there was a service you could ask for. I came across this report which says you are not alone in the frustration with their care:
I have been down this road in our family and from personal experiences, help received from good caregivers, early on, will generally support the best outcomes.
Not eating and refusing to eat as a way to control can be very serious. It is something that could be life threatening. Here is a group that can help you understand what is going on: http://www.nami.org/
Not sure if they can help with services, but it is worth a try. Changing insurance with good coverage could be a big step. Your son may need to be hospitalized, and that is not an easy choice, nor is the process simple. But it may potentially need to be considered. It is not likely that this will go away by itself. There is not a lot of range of services between seeing a therapist and hospitalization. Herrick Hospital in Berkeley has a good program. If he is under 18 you have the power to sign him into a residential program, after 18 it is much more complicated, and he can refuse treatment up to a certain point. Check out NAMI hoping for the best for you
Your son is addicted to the Internet. Possibly to a specific game? It's as serious as any addiction more conventionally known such as to drugs or alcohol. I suspect you are both in denial, as this is such a new & recent area for parents, caregivers and professionals! Start doing your research with this in mind and try to find another grownup to work with you who might perform as neutral participant. Be prepared before you shut down the Internet or take other major steps to begin the process of bringing your child back to reality. Maybe a friend of his can be an ally, talk to the friends parents to let them know your plan to help free your son from this bond. Once you make some progress your son may be more open to therapy. There are a few in Berkeley who specialize in Internet & gaming addiction. We had the exact experience with same age son, BHS, I.S. and therapy. I was behaving as a codependent, as you are now. I wish you all the best. Was there, too!
i don't have direct experience with this, but maybe there are some contexts for him where expectations are low-when you are down expectations are daunting--and support is high will help? i was wondering about volunteering at the animal shelter to walk dogs for instance? or helping people with down's syndrome? get some kind nonjudgmental interactions from others besides you? some place he can be taken totally out of the world he's stressed about, and realize there is more out there, and also get connections with animals or people that way?
you must be utterly exhausted, it sounds terrible, but he sounds like he has a lot of things going for him once he starts seeing things in a better way. [i sympathize with people telling you that he should do something, that drives me nuts too, as if he is following your directions when he does something they don't like,indeed they are their own people!] it sounds like you are doing a great job helping him, but it is just hard. take care, anon
Good treatment for 19 year old's anxiety?
Oct 2012
I saw a posting recently about teens with anxiety. My 19 year old daughter has suffered with anxiety for a few years now. It started out as panic attacks but has progressed to generalized anxiety - even with therapy. She has been to a couple of psychiatrists who says she's depressed and put her on antidepressants but they didn't do much. I think the reason she's depressed is because she hasn't learned to deal with her anxiety. Has anyone had success with certain anti-anxiety medications? Which antidepressants also combat anxiety? I would like to keep her medication-free but I hate seeing her suffer.
I couldn't tell from your post whether you have tried a cognitive behavioral therapist. These are people who specialize just in anxiety, and who can help your daughter get to the heart of what her anxiety triggers are and how she can stop the anxious response. Often people have no idea what their triggers are and will say the anxiety comes out of the blue, when there are very definite triggers. Figuring out the triggers is the first step to uprooting the anxiety system.
For example, a friend of mine would say that his panic attacks came out of nowhere. ''I was just walking down an empty street and wham, it came on,'' he'd say. But with CBT, he was able to realize that he'd looked up, seen a person in the distance walking towards him, started to panic about if he'd have to interact with that person, and that triggered a panic attack. He had very bad social anxiety, and all his triggers were related to that.
The thing about cognitive behavioral therapy is that it requires courage. You have to be willing to get in there and fight your anxiety. Imagine if you are afraid of heights (instead of people, for example), and your assignment is to keep walking along the edge of a sheer cliff. It's hard. You cannot just sit there and wait for the anxiety to go away magically. But the good news is that the more effort and courage you put into it, the smaller and smaller your anxiety will get. good luck to your daughter
I have worked with many young adults who have anxiety, both generalized and panic attacks. In my experience, two things are needed: specific skills and strategies to deal with worried thoughts and anxiety provoking situations; and the ability to ''step back'' and observe/challenge the thoughts. Often an understanding of how the brain works and how it generates anxiety can be reassuring. Sometimes cognitive therapy and problem-solving is enough to make a big difference; at other times neurofeedback can be invaluable for changing the underlying EEG patterns, or ''brainwaves'', associated with anxiety.
It sounds likely that your daughter is having trouble coping with anxiety symptoms and needs some proactive tools to help her. While medication can be very helpful for panic attacks, on going anxiety medications are usually addictive and have lots of side effects. Meds usually help with symptoms but they don't teach folks how to cope better, which is why so many people have mixed results. Anxiety usually occurs when our ability to handle stress becomes overloaded and we have trouble regulating our nervous system. To address this it's important to see it as both a physical and psychological response. Some helpful alternative methods are accupuncture, yoga, meditation, chinese medicine, exercise and nutritional support. If you do decide to stay on the medication route I would suggest that you make sure your daughter is doing other things to learn how to deal with the anxiety, rather than just masking the symptoms. good luck
Teen Girl's Depression/Anxiety Related to Father's Death?
Sept 2012
My teen daughter (now 16.5) is suffering from depression/anxiety that is really interfering with her life and adversely affecting her once-excellent schoolwork and social relationships. This has been going on for a little more than two years. After hospitalization in the Spring and a brief period of refusing treatment, we have begun working with a new counselor and a new psychiatrist. Keeping my fingers crossed she is able to make some progress through treatment and, if appropriate, new meds.
Reading the posts on this site, I have learned that many teens struggle with these issues, and there are many reasons. I wonder about the role of her father's death in her struggles. She was 9.5 at the time, and he was killed at work on New Year's Eve (in a traffic accident.) He was a totally devoted father and my duaghter was very, very close to him. (More than to me.)
She has participated in group and individual counseling on-and-off over the years, and through some of these groups she has formed friendships with other kids who've lost a parent. Still, she struggles. She's has never directly said it's her father's death, but I can't help but wonder what role that loss is playing in her life right now.
Has anyone had experience with the stages of grief that kids go through as they grow up after losing a parent? And do you have advice about how to best support her? It is so hard on these teens who've lost a beloved parent. There is alot of sympathy given to the little kids who lose a parent, but for teens who have lived for a few years without that parent, it seems to have dried up and been replaced by the attitude that they have ''gotten used to it''. Heck, I'm 47 and I still rely on my dad for many things...I can't even imagine how it is to grow up without a dad. Any comments or suggestions would be welcome. Worried Mom
I am so sorry for your loss and your daughter's, especially at her tender, pre-adolescent age.
As one who also lost her father young (at11.0), I can offer my memories from a time intensely felt but about which I was unable to communicate when so young.
I wished more than anything that an adult male who, if possible, knew my dad and whom I could trust would say, ''I'm there for you, if you ever want someone to talk to, any time, in the way you might have talked to your father -- if you have questions about choices you will face, growing up, or topics which you'd like to discuss with someone on your side, I'm there for you. When you want to know how men think, I'm there. I'm not your dad, but I care. Call me or write, any time, even in the middle of the night.''
Adults, even counselors, who offered me pity or condolences just seemed intrusive, especially if they talked.
There were invisible threads tying me to a few of my classmates who shared this singular fate, but, with no other bonds between us, the scar was too deep and too raw, the distance between us too far, for many, many years, to talk of it, and the ability to articulate what it meant way too undeveloped for there to be anything but discomfort found.
Search for someone solid and sensible among your family, your friends, or your husband's childhood friends who might take on the role of a surrogate father to your daughter, not daily, not weekly, but someone spiritually available, as needed and called on **by her**; preferably someone young enough to be there for her even ten or twenty years from now, whenever she chooses to call them, as she transits into adulthood. Someone you and she can count on.
I found such a person at 62, and even though he never knew my dad, it made a difference to me, even that much later. anon
I think losing a parent at any age is very difficult. Losing one as a child can multiply this difficulty a thousand fold. Without a doubt your daughter's depression and anxiety can be related to her grief. You don't mention in your posting what impact the loss of this man had in your life. It's possible that your difficulties with the loss (expressed and unexpressed) are also contributing to your daughter's state of unhappiness. I would suggest you both consult a therapist who specializes in issues related to grief. Joan Monheit, MSW 845-1557 and Howard Lunche MSW, LCSW 841-2930 are both compassionate, amazing counselors who ''specialize'' in grief. I recommend both of them highly and encourage you to consider calling one of them. Wishing you, and your daughter, all the best. L.
Teen Age depression - does it get better?
March 2012
I would like to hear some encouraging words from any parents out there who have children who have gotten through teenage depression. My 16 year old is smart, does well in school, but gets the blues pretty bad and worries a lot. She was on pretty high levels of Prozac but the depressive mood dumps became pretty frequent and she had bad insomnia. The Psychiatrist prescribed medication that promotes sleep but increases appetite and she has gained a lot of weight, making her feel worse. Her mood is slightly better now that she is getting sleep, but she still gets dumps. Does it get better? Anon
I was super depressed in high school and did get over it. Probably the worst was 15-17 years. By 18 I was much better. Years later I figured out that a lot of it was hormones. No doctor ever asked about hormones or mentioned that. They tested for everything under the sun. I was also at times on birth control pills which I believe made it much worse. Teenagers aren't as in tune with their bodies, so they don't see these shifts. When I got into exercise at around age 22, that was when things really changed for good for me and I started understanding how alive and energetic someone could feel. I don't think an anti-depressant would have been good for me - even though I was suicidal. Maybe something that brought my energy up - but if it's a hormonal issue then addressing that might have helped. Anyway - I'm not at all trying to diagnose your daughter - I am not in the medical field - but just sharing my own experience. Good luck! was there and found myself
My son was severely depressed in high school and now at age 21 he no longer is. I think partly growing out of it (his psychiatrist told us he likely would), partly not smoking pot anymore, and partly exercising a lot. We used to always tell him to exercise but of course that went nowhere. If your daughter is open to it, try telling her it is a way to feel much better. best wishes
For whatever it's worth, here's my family's story. My son was diagnosed in 8th grade with a variety of things and depression was the only thing all the Doctors could agree upon. From the beginning to now, he was given quite a mix of medications which often counter acted upon the others. Some medicines made him sleepy, some created anger, some increased his appetite and in one year he gained 40 pounds, which I was told, was not related to his medicine. Over these almost 4 grueling years, 2 hospitalizations, 3 psychiatrists later and many sleepless nights, calm has been restored to our home. My son continues to take medicines but the dose appears to be addressing his needs. If I were to say what made the difference that would be hard, because my son desperately wanted to get better and did whatever his Doctors recommended. I think honestly it was finding someone who took the time with him and allowing him the time to grow and mature through this. My husband and I also put our lives on hold throughout all of this. For his safety, we never let him remain alone for long periods of time and we continually reinforced our unconditional love and suport. This was a hard battle and as we approach college, we are never far from what we overcame, and assessing where he is.
I wish you good luck, but sometimes, you just have to wait it out and devote everything at your disposal to this. Talk to everyone you can, ask questions, take notes so you have a record of why medications is being prescribed. Having great insurance also helps. gc
You may want to consider homeopathic treatment for your teenage daughter. Homeopathy offers a holistic, drug-free approach to depression (along with many other issues, because it addresses the mental, emotional and physical aspects of a person simultaneously). As a homeopathic educator, (former) practitioner and mother of two teens, I can testify wholeheartedly that it really works! Edi Pfeiffer is a wonderful practitioner in Berkeley who treats many children and adolescents: http://www.berkeleyhomeopathy.com/ Please take a few minutes to check out her website, it is worth knowing about this very effective and healthy alternative to prescription drug treatment. Bara
I see people saying it does get better and not to put their child on medication. I hope it will get better and medication is by no means the best option for everyone, it should be considered. I was severely depressed since I was a small child and medication in high school would have saved me years of suicidal thought. As it was, I didn't get relief (through medication) until I was 30. so please think about it. been there.
15 y-o Son Won't Go to School or Get Out of Bed
Oct 2010
My son has told me he dislikes his new school,but missing 2-3 days at a time when he's not sick (he was sick maybe 1 day) is not acceptable. Even on weekends, it is excruciating to get him out of bed. We go do fun things as much as possible but sometimes there is too much homework or we have too much to do here at home. He has friends at school but since we live some distance away he only see them there. Previously he was an excellent student & usually kept up with the homework He does not have insurance & I was told to try Berkeley Mental Health. I'd like to hear of other's experiences w/that. It is scary to use facilities like that. I am not sure what else to do. Any suggestions would be helpful. Concerned Parent
Our kid did this too. I went in and spoke to his Counselor who said, ''Where have YOU been?'' She helped us get him hooked up with independent study and was able to get his diploma (not a GED, but a dipoloma). He loved the tiny classes and one on one attention. This is what they do with actors and dancers with erratic schedules. He is now at University, back on track. Hang in there..... teen years are a pain in the ass!!!! But kids in college are WONDERFUL people. RR
Poor kid. He sounds like he may be depressed. You said he doesn't have insurance, but you should check into Healthy Families which provides health insurance for low income kids. Also it may just be that his new school is not a good fit for him and he is not having a good experience there. Can you change his school?
Teens need at least 9 hours of sleep to be adequately rested and school schedules are notoriously hard on teens. I would wonder whether your son is staying up too late. Without adequate sleep, if there is anything negative or aversive going on at school, such as learning disabilities, social pressures, or bullying, getting up to go to school can seem overwhelming. Similarly, if your son is depressed, the combination of depression and fatigue can make school seem too much to deal with. Whether the issue is one of inadequate sleep or sleep disorder such as insomnia, sometimes there are nighttime behavioral issues to consider, such as compulsive gaming, internet chatting, substance abuse or pornography. Finally, family dynamics may be a factor as well.
I would suggest having a mental health professional evaluate your son. As you mentioned, Berkeley Mental Health is one possibility. UC Berkeley also has a clinic associated with their graduate school of clinical psychology. Other options are Children's Hospital Oakland, WestCoast Children's Clinic, Wright Institute Clinic and the Ann Martin Center. You may wish to inquire about getting your son on Medi-Cal insurance or Healthy Families. Best of luck to you and your family. Ilene
It sounds like you live in Berkeley. If your son goes to Berkeley High, there is a health center on campus and he can get counseling through the health center. I'd also talk to his counselor to get more suggestions. anon
Mental Health is as important or even more so than any other type of health. The reason this is scary is because there is still so much stigma attached to this area. Once there was stigma if you had cancer or needed glasses. Hopefully most of us are past that and get preventive care, or seek appropriate medical attention as needed. Personally I would be more terrified of what is coming next, and the thought that my teenager is living in a bed.
If he had signs of appendicitis what would you do? I had a friend who had to go to a doctor three times with a pain in her side. The doctor kept telling her she was fine, and she was imagining that she was ill. The third time her husband went with her. The doctor had a shouting match with her husband and threw them out and said ''Get out and go to an emergency room.'' It saved her life. Getting help is often not easy but do what you need to do.
Berkeley Mental Health seems like an option. If you can't manage it on your own get a friend or a family member to help you. Maybe someone on this list would volunteer.
Not sure why your son does not have health insurance, but have you looked into this? http://www.healthyfamilies.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx It covers children up to 18 and covers Mental Health services as well. Mental Health issues like many health issues are best handled as early as possible by trained professionals. sending courage
If your son is hard to get out of bed on weekends too, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Does he sleep 7.5 hours per day? If not he is sleep deprived. Work with him that he gets 7.5 hours sleep per day. Your body detoxes while you sleep. Sleep is at least as important than the waking hours.
2. Are computer and cell phone in his room? Is he active late with these? Computer and cell phone leave the room at 9pm. Also unplug appliances in the room. Without electro-magnetic waves, the body is more energetic.
3. Does he have a healthy diet? On a daily basis, does he get Omega 3, Vitmain D & C and more importantly, B6&12 with folic acid? If not, supplement.
4. Does he drink or smoke? Energy and motivation robbers.
5. Is he depressed? That would be my last question. All other things should be in place first as a basis for good daily energy. He should have opportunities to see friends outside of school for a deeper connection. I would make time available to drive him/them. Anonymously
17-y-o's anxiety & depression - residential treatment?
Sept 2010
Please help: Our 17 year old has some long standing anxiety and depression issues. In the last month, she has not been able to go to school, has been hospitalized briefly for anxiety and depression and has tried two day treatment programs that did not work for her. She is getting more depressed, and finding it more difficult to do daily tasks like grooming or even to leave the house for appointments. She describes herself as very afraid, even when there is no clear source for her anxiety. She has had many years of therapy, medication and family therapy. She has had several neuropsych evals.
Many consultants are recommending residential treatment programs. These programs are very scary to us - they don't allow the teen to have contact with the parents for several weeks, for instance. These programs are not the wilderness type- they are supposed to more gentle, for anxious NON-acting out kids. Still, the restrictions on contact are a big concern to us. Please contact us directly with any information you might have.
This does not speak directly to your question about residential treatment programs but I totally understand your discomfort with no contact allowed. I' like to throw a few other ideas into the mix.
Is this perhaps hormonally related? Has she been evaluated by a physician? Does she perhaps have PMDD (premenstrual disphoric disorder)? Now that I have passed through menopause I realize in hindsight that I had this undiagnosed condition for 40+ years and it basically robbed me of my life (2.5 weeks of every month spent in misery). I can see it clearly now but not while in the thick of it. To finally have some emotional calm and physical relief is amazing. Not one physician or therapist over all of those years ever asked me about the quality of my periods nor did it ever occur to me to mention it (part of the depression and feeling absolutely like a crazy person associated with it I suppose). In any event, perhaps if you haven't considered this possibility, you might.
Also, my young adult son has been hospitalized twice (3 days each time) over the last year for depression/suicidal ideation/delusional thinking. He's now living at home with us, is taking his meds, is seeing an excellent therapist twice a week, and I am insisting that he get vigorous exercise (which both my husband and I model as well) several times a week, and we're eating very healthfully (as we usually have). It took several months for him to stabilize, but he is on the mend.
How is her diet? Has she been tested for food allergies? Based on what you write I assume she's not exercising, but maybe you can somehow encourage her to do so, maybe joining you in a bike ride for example for starters.
My husband suffered from anxiety and panic attacks (and high blood pressure) all of which have been completely eliminated since we joined the gym (Positive Motion Personal Training Studio to be exact) a year and a half ago. I can clearly see the enormous benefits that vigorous exercise has given each of us in different ways. It was quite a feat to get my son (re)started on an exercise regimin, but it has become easier as he's seen the benefits and he's now doing it on his own.
I apologize if this reply is rather scattered - just some other ideas. Best wishes for a happy resolution for your beloved child. **
Depressed 17-y-o relapsing after some success
May 2010
After reading the March 2008 posting ''Depressed 15 year old'' , and the replies, I am curious what path the parent chose and whether there was any progress. I was in exactly the same situation with my son, then 15 also. By Fall, 2008, however, my son agreed to attend a boarding school on the East Coast. By Spring, 2009, it seemed there was a miraculous turnaround, and it was truly amazing. Unfortunately, the past year at this school has been one of great difficulty and disappointment with my son refusing to participate and eventually being sent home. Now, as he approaches age 18 in less than 2 months, and returns to doing nothing all day but look at the computer in his room, he has refused to complete his studies from the boarding school, which he can do at home through the Summer in order to gain credit for his junior year. Instead, he says that he will wait until he is 18 and then move out on his own. Having experienced what seemed to be a lasting solution in Spring, 2009, and then to watch my son devolve back to depression, anxiety and lack of motivation, I remain at a loss as to what to do for him.
You are right to be concerned. Medication is a very useful tool but it requires a commitment to work collaboratively with the psychiatrist to find the right drug and dosage. It would be worth it to try again, perhaps with a different psychiatrist. These problems rarely get better on their own. Your son likely has some distorted ideas about medication and is lacking important information about the benefits. Leaving depression untreated can have lasting effects on the brain (not to mention one's life), some of which have been shown to be reversible with treatment (medication and therapy).
There is likely more to this picture than depression or other mood disorder (bipolar), but it can be difficult for a depressed teen, especially a male, to convey what is going on in his internal world. It may be helpful for your son to have a thorough psychodiagnostic assessment, involving objective and projective testing, clinical interviews and self-report questionaires. This would be done by a clinical psychologist specializing in assessment of teens. Best of luck to you and your family. Ilene
High school senior is very depressed and declining
April 2010
Hello, Im struggling with a teen (17) who will not shower, shave,or change his clothes. He is struggling at school, and will not meet with a counselor or a doctor/therapist. He also refuses to take any medication. Our insurance is Kaiser. We are willing to change it if needed. We are helplessly watching our only son decline slowly before our eyes. Any suggestion will be apppreciated. tired mom
Why don't you go to a counselor first, and see what advice they can give you on how to deal with it. He is showing classic signs of depression, about which there have been numerous articles recently in the news. See if you can find some on the internet or library. But the first thing is for you to find out the root cause, and in that I think a counselor will be your best resource - for you at least, if your son is refusing to go himself. Don't give up! Timi
First, know you are not alone. Unfortunately, a number of teens are going through things like this, our son one of them as well, who was also suffering from severe depression. He is doing better now, but it took removing him from his high school, moving to home schooling (through the school system - you may be able to get the school to do an evaluation), intensive psychotherapy and medication. We had to consider the idea of hospitalization, but fortunately he has so far been willing to go along with the treatment. If necessary you may need to take your son to the ER for this, certainly, based on what you are describing, if you think there is any danger he could harm himself (our son tried something along those lines, which we never thought could happen, and luckily he was ok), but you may need to make something happen with your son to avoid that possibility. We feel for you very much. Call Kaiser and tell them how serious this is, or just bring him in for an evaluation. He is still 17, and a minor, and you are still able to make him do this. He can catch up school later, but now it sounds like you just need to make sure he is safe, and kids do get better with the right treatment- so far, thank goodness, our son is improving. Dad and Mom in a similar position
I'm the mom of a teenager with clinical depression. I empathize with you; helping a depressed teen can be tough.
There's an innovative organization in Alameda County that can help with just the situation you describe: being a family member or caregiver of someone in Alameda County with a serious emotional disturbance who can't or won't seek treatment on his or her own. It's called the Family Education and Resource Center (FERC). All staff, including the five Family Advocates, have first-hand experience as family members/caregivers of people with mental illness.
I'm using FERC right now to advocate for my teen daughter's best friend. I've spoken with Annie, a Family Advocate, who was warm and helpful.
To get help, just call 1-888-896-3372 and ask to speak with Annie or another advocate.
Best wishes to you and your son. You're on the right path to helping him. Nancy
Please, please call Kaiser; they can help your teen in crisis. You can either call the pediatrics department (relevant till age 18; they do understand teen depression): 510 752-1200. If you don't like your teen's pediatrician, you can easily change. You could ask the office which pediatricans are particularly good with male teens.
Or you can call Child and Family Psychiatry: 510 752-1075 (press #1 for English; then press #2 for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). I would call ASAP--before it gets to a severe crisis level. If your son talks at all about suicide (or starts giving away his music collection or engages in other obviously self-destructive behavior), take is very seriously and get immediate, emergency help (911). Also, can you find out what he is viewing, if anything, online? An isolated, depressed teen is so vulnerable to any influence; the Web can offer really destructive messaging. It may be that your son is ''just'' experiencing a ''normal'' episodic teen yuck period that will soon pass; or it may be more severe, with suicidal possibilities if he's deeply depressed. He needs intervention regardless of the severity of his depression. And you need professional help; you cannot do this alone. I am so sorry that you are experiencing this. Best of luck to you. Linda
2007 - 2009 Discussions
Daughter's depression after a course of Accutane
Dec 2009
My 17 year old daughter was on Accutane for about 6 weeks when she had a depressive episode, she told us that she had been feeling depressed before the Accutane and really wanted to stay on it and finish the course of 5 months. She was being seen by a CBT as well as the school therapist, so the dermatologist said it would be fine to stay on the Accutane. Long story short, things got worse. She is off the Accutane and now on an Antidepressant. Things do see better, however, we still have bad days. I am not completely happy with the psychotherapist she is seeing... I was wondering if anyone could recommend someone who has helped their child with depression issues. We live in Walnut Creek, so I would like to find someone on this side of the tunnel if possible, but I will travel if necessary. Thank you.
I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling with a depression issue in your daughter. My daughter (who is now 22)had lots of issues in high school, depression being one of them. We had a few local therapists but the best one, and the one that my daughter still sees occasionally when she's home, is Dr. Tim Browne (he's a psychologist, not a medical doctor). His practice is in Lafayette and he's quite good. His number is (925) 937-3999. I don't know if he's taking new patients but it might be worth a call to see what his thoughts are. The biggest thing as he might tell you is that your daughter needs to want the help in order for therpay to really work. But, he manages to get a good rapport with kids so it might be worth a try. Judy
You might want to try either Teresa Fleury or David Franklin, both with offices in Walnut Creek. I have to say I've seen some very significant depressions caused by (or at least correlated with) Accutane usage (See for example ''New Accutane Warnings: Patients Must Be Told of Possible Depression and Psychiatric Side Effects'' (http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117666=1).
In some cases, it has taken a long time for the depression to lift after cessation of Accutane. Personally I've seen both situations (where depression lifted almost immediately and where the depression was very persistent). The Accutane use may have triggered an underlying vulnerability to depression (i.e., one version of the ''kindling'' explanation for the development of mood disorders). Finally, it's important to find a therapist and psychiatrist who are skilled in working both with mood disorders AND working with teens specifically. Best of luck! Michael
Testing 16-y-o with depression who's not responding to treatment?
May 2009
I have a 16 year old teen suffering from depression and anxiety that's been resistant to treatment. Her therapist thinks she should get a full battery of psych testing to see what the main problem is or if there's something we are missing. We live in the East Bay. Is there anyone out there that's good? I thought this type of testing was more for checking for ADHD or Dyslexia but the therapist thinks it can help. My poor girl is suffering and wants desperately to know what's going on with her so she can work on dealing with it. Please help! M.
A full testing battery for a teen, usually comprising several different types of tests plus clinical interview with parents and child, will cover both cognitive and social-emotional/personality functioning. Occasionally, testing will reveal something that suggests a need for more in-depth testing. More commonly, the testing provides a wealth of information that can help the person understand themselves better, work with their strengths and weaknesses. The report should include recommendations for next steps such as psychotherapy, school accomodations or whatever else is appropriate.
I can recommend Erin Rosenblatt, PhD (510)867-4062 and Stacey Nelson, PhD (415) 257-0702. I am a psychologist and have worked with each of them in a professional context. They are both very warm, knowledgeable and tend to take a more collaborative approach.
Local clinics such as UCB Psychology Clinic, Ann Martin Center and WestCoast Children's Clinic also offer testing by interns and post- docs; this can be a great option but can take longer as the interns are using it as a learning process and take the testing data to seminars and supervision. Ilene
Jessica Lipkind is excellent. She is intelligent, experienced and compassionate, and she is cognizant of the costs that can accrue and the burden that this can put on families - therefore she really tries to tailor the testing so as not to incur unnecessary expense. Everyone I know who has experienced her has nothing but positive things to say. parent of teen
14-year-old with severe depression and panic
March 2009
My son was recently diagnosed with severe depression and is currently taking ambilify, prozac and xanax for panic. We go to a psychiatrist for medication management only. Both my husband and I are wondering if there are psychiatrist out there who counsel and treat patients? Mom in need
Your teen's prescribing psychiatrist should be able to refer you to a therapist who works with teens. Some psychiatrists do prescribe and provide therapy as well - in my experience they tend to be psychoanalytically oriented and really want to do therapy and not just do med. management.
Having said that, it is not necessary for the prescribing doc and the therapist to be the same person. In fact, sometimes therapy with a psychiatrist can be cost-prohibitive. However, it is probably important that you find someone who is comfortable working collaboratively with a prescribing psychiatrist (usually this means checking in by phone from time to time).
I'm not sure what area you are in, but there are many excellent child and adolescent therapists in the east bay, some of whom have been recommended on this newsletter.
Yes, there are psychiatrists who also do therapy as well as medication management. We found an excellent one, Dr. Petra Steinbuchel, at Children's Hospital. Unfortunately, we could not continue 50-minute weekly therapy sessions as the cost was prohibitive.
A better resource for us is the public UC Berkeley Psychology Clinic (510-642-2055). Initial testing costs about $20. Weekly sessions are on a sliding scale (we pay $70/week). Therapists are PhD grad students under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, Dr. Laura Mason. We are doing family therapy which really has decreased conflict with our teen.
Have you looked into getting an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for your son? My daughter has one and Special Ed status due to health problems and ''emotional disturbance''(severe depression and anxiety that interfered with her schoolwork).
Your son most likely is eligible for Special Ed status if his depression is interfering with his schoolwork. It would entitle him to many legal protections in the educational system. For example, my daughter qualifies for free weekly therapy under AB3632, a state law that provides psychotherapy for emotionally or physically disabled kids to take full benefit of their educational opportunities.
Also consider Marchus School in Concord (925-602-6150). It's a public school for kids with social or emotional difficulties in the regular schools. My daughter has thrived there.
An excellent alternative high school is Envision Academy of Arts & Technology in Oakland, a free charter school. It teaches kids via projects which integrate math, language, etc.
If you'd like to learn about your son's legal educational rights, contact an education advocate at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) in Berkeley.
Finally, a supportive word for you. It can feel exhausting to have a kid who's seriously depressed, so take good care of yourself. Your son is lucky to have you as his mom. Nancy
In my experience (also have a depressed child), you have to call each person and see what they offer. You can go to someone else for the counseling part. I would make sure that they are well-informed about the medications that your son is taking. I also found that the psychiatrist will also do a little trouble-shooting during the very short check-in appointment. Good luck!! anon
2004 and Earlier
Depressed 15-year-old daughter
April 2002
Hi, My daughter is 15 yrs old and has been on Effexor for about 8 months. She has been taking 75 mg and it made a huge difference. She had been cutting herself and had thoughts of suicide. My two sisters (ages 39 and 44 yrs) have suffered from depression since their teen years and are both now on Effexor and actually recommended it for my daughter. But now my daughter feels 75 mg is not enough and she feels self-destructive so I called the psychiatrist and he is putting her on 150 mg. Beyond the extreme behavior of cutting, it is hard for me to distinguish regular teen issues and problems with depression. I find myself going easy on her because I don't want to make the depression worse or cause her to cut. But I also feel kids have so much more today than we ever had and they are still struggling and huge numbers have depression. What's going on???Also, does anyone have real good information on Effexor, I asked the psychiatrist if it was safe giving a 15 yr old 150 mg and he felt it was fine. But he's not real talkative or supportive. I hope to find a new psychologist that can prescribe meds and counsel. a dad
my daughter is 15 and struggles with depression and anxiety. She's been suicidal in the past. I believe she may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, but I don't know for sure. Her biological father left me when I was 2 months pregnant, came back around when she was 5 and proved to be the most inconsistent person I know. At 13 my daughter asked him to leave her alone and stop contacting her. Since then he shows up, whenever the spirit moves him. This has been a real distressing part of my daughters need to grow on. Oh, she was adopted by my husband when she was 7 or 8. Anyhow now we're being blamed by this buffoon for screwing up our daughter. I see it more as a biological problem first, my family has a strong history of depression, then situational. She is currently being treated with anti-depressants and therapy. She has times of great despair, but for the most part is progressing. One issue that really concerns me is how many girls she knows have eating disorders and actually find it kind of cool to starve themselves. My daughter is a very loving, giving person and some of these girls glob onto her for support. We've worked very hard at helping her understand that she doesn't have to fix other kids problems, in fact these are for adults to deal with. We've encouraged her to talk to the school counselor when this becomes demanding. It's been very hard to watch my daughter struggle with her mood disorder. Any other info would be great. a mom
I want to reply to the parents of the depressed teens. Last year at age 15 my daughter was also very depressed, cut herself, and talked of suicide. We got her psychotherapy that seemed to help. She was against taking any medication. This year she is much more cheerful but seems very susceptible to stress. Although her father is often depressed, neither has been diagnosed as being really bi-polar. Our problems sound less serious than yours, but there is definitely something going on at age 15. Perhaps telling your daughters that things may improve as they get older will help them. Best of luck to you both. Anonymous
Angry 13-year-old says he thinks of dying every day
Sept. 2002
Our 13 year old son is very beligerent these days. Last nite, our son told us that he thinks about dying every day. As we tried to talk to him about this he claimed that he has a religion/belief system that is secret; that he has had it since he was born; that this belief system is what keeps him from killing himself. We were horrified. He says that we don't know who he is. When we ask him to tell us who he is, he refuses. We are very alarmed and think this may be a sign that he needs some help. We do not know where to go for help. He is a very sensitive kid, who keeps repeating that he has alot of anger inside and that he has had to bottle up his feelings all his life and can't let his feelings out. Any suggestions. I am thinking that some sort of teen group where he could see other kids talk about feelings might help. Please help!!! Scared Parents
[Editor notes: Many of the messages below were forwarded as they were received since several parents felt it was urgent to do so. ]
Dear Scared Parents,
It sounds to me like your son needs some help fast. Some resources might be:
If you have medical insurance see if it offers any mental health care. Call and ask to speak to someone who works with teens.
Talk to your son's physician, he/she may be able to refer to a psychologist or someone who could talk to your son. Or the physician might be able to help you evaluate the situation.
If you are a UC Berkeley faculty or staff member CARE Services over at the Tang Center might be able to help you evaluate the situation, and help you find someone to help your son (this resource is only for UC Berkeley folks though).
Another idea might be to call Berkeley Mental Health and see if they can refer you to someone who is familiar with teens and their issues.
And you can always just check the previous postings from this parent's list to get names of therapists etc. who are good with teens. There are lots of people in this area who are experienced in this area, and many of them have a sliding scale if cost is an issue.
It can frequently be very difficult to tell when a teen is just being a teen, and when they really need some help. From your posting, I would encourage you to take your son's comments seriously, and have a professional check things out. Getting some help could make all the difference in your son's life. Best of luck, Anonymous
Good Grief! Your son is telling you that he thinks of dying and that he has a lot of anger inside and that he can't let his feelings out and you wonder if he needs help?!? He is begging you for help! Start with your health insurance company. They should have a mental health line for you to call. They will give you a list of appropriate psycho-therapists to contact for an assessment. Some sort of teen group may be of some help, but meanwhile let a professional determine what he needs. Don't be afraid of overreacting, you should consider yourselves lucky that your son is reaching out to you (in his own teen-age way) so that you can get whatever help he needs now. I hate to think of how many teen-age tragedies could have been averted if parents, teachers, school staff, or friends had paid attention to the clues and made the leap to do something. Please help him! Marcia
Seemingly??? If I were you, I would immediately turn off the computer and try to get him an appointment with a therapist as soon as possible. Call your pediatrician for a referral and/or look in the Parents of Teens archives for referrals for therapists. He not only sounds extremely troubled but he is putting out a HUGE call for help. A teen group would NOT be the answer as the first step, because he needs to find a therapist who could work with him individually on these feelings that he is suppressing and who could try to understand the belief system he is focusing around. This is critical. Good luck! His call for help suggests that he might be open to a therapist willing to listen. Anonymous
I am not a professional, but have worked in the field of mental health for many years. It sounds like your son is definitely telling you that he needs help. Whenever a child discusses killing himself it is a clear sign that he is in danger of doing himself some sort of harm, whether it's drugs, alcohol, trouble with the law, or the worst possible scenario, a suicide attempt. The things he is telling you demand urgent attention. I don't think a teen group is the right way to start, as it sounds like he has been sublimating a lot of his anger and depression, as has issues that go way back, which indicate he needs to be evaluated professionally before any therapeutic modality is instated. I urge you to get help right away. If you have health care, I wouldn't hesitate one more day. If you don't, you might want to try calling Berkeley Primary Care Access Clinic at 204-4666, located at the old Herrick Hospital Site. If they don't have on-site psychological services, they can probably give you a referral to affordable care. Get some advice, and get your son in to be evaluated as soon as possible. In the meantime, it sounds like he is vocalizing some of his issues, albeit in a roundabout manner. Keep the channels of communication open and continue to be open to his needs. He's at least willing to talk to you to some degree, which is encouraging. -- Please sign me anonymous.
Scared Parents, My son had similar problems. He is being treated for depression. My advice is to be supportive of your son and find a good therapist. Saying to your son who are you? or we don't know who you are anymore probably just makes him feel worse. He sounds like he is depressed and is struggling with a lot of issues. Remember everything for teens is intensified especially if they are already very sensitive. Kaiser has a teen group, but you have to be a kaiser member. You also should know that if you see a therapist it is possible that they may think your son should be hospitalized. This happened to my son. In fact, they can hospitalize him with out your consent if they think he is a danger to himself or others. This was a shock to me and my son, but it turned out that my son was around other teens with similar feelings and benefited from the experience. I hope this helps if you want more info maybe you can get your email to me thru the moderator. I need to keep this anon to protect my son. I can ask my son if he would want to talk to your son. Through a chat or something (my son just turned 15). anon
My oldest son is now 16, and we had similar talks with him when he was 13/14 about death, dying, anger, killing himself, and my husband got totally upset. We consulted a psychologist, and he asked if there had been any actions, attempts, that just having thoughts was not necessarily dangerous. We were told that many boys have these thoughts, and the fact that our son expressed them to us was a very good thing. That we should listen, and not be judgmental, and not try to fix things, but to be there for him. To spend time with him. TO talk with him and let him figure out a solution. And the changes he finally made were very modest. It was just the fact that my son felt that he had choice. It was also very helpful having a professional give us guidance. My son actually was only willing to talk to him twice. I suggest reading the book, Raising Cain, Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys, by Kindlon and Thompson. What you're seeing is how our society is incredibly sexist, and trashes the emotions of boys, especially sensitive, intelligent boys. And while our society denies it, I think most boys are very sensitive and intelligent, which is where all the anger comes from, the repeated snuffing of our boys' emotional expression. And unfortunately, schools and the way schools are set up, start this when boys are 5. Here's a referral to a wonderful psychologist: Kirk Hewitt: 510-869-2545 Good luck. Anonymous
You have to get some help right away. I think first you and your husband should seek counseling to get an understanding of what may be going on with your son and how to deal with it. This is because I think your son is likely to resist talking to a therapist, and you need some knowledge and strategies for the time when you are ready to talk to him about his mental state and take some steps to help him. If money is an issue, talk to your city or county Mental Health Services, or his school. Please don't delay. It sounds to me as though your son is very much in need of help. Good luck! Louise
There are support groups for teens. I think that therapy only works if the person going is ready and willing to hear what the (hopefully good matching) therapist has to offer. I think when a teen can connect with other teens who can relate to their feelings, there is much more chance of healing/growth. I would suggest Al-anon or Al-ateen. Although, I don't know whether there is alcoholism or drug use in your family. The feelings of anger that your son describes sound familiar and are common for children from dysfunctional families. Try not to take it personally, and think of your son's welfare.
You have every reason to be scared. Get your son to his pediatrician NOW for a work up and a referral to a psychiatrist. A situation where a teen is thinking about dying everyday and possibly delusional is way beyond the point where group therapy alone can fix it. It sounds like he is severely depressed. Depression is a disease--a life threatening one--and he needs professional evaluation and treatment.Another possibility if you can't get him in to his doctor right away, is to call Alameda Child Services 1-800-491-9099, they provide specialized evaluation and treatment of troubled children. I know that watching someone in your family suffer with this illness is frightening and heartbreaking, I've been there, its easy to go into denial, but know this, you have to pull yourself together to take action, at the stage it sounds like your son is at it isn't going to just get better on its own, typically people just continue to spiral down. Don't end up one of those parents who only realize how ill their child was after their child commits suicide. I know that sounds horrible, I hate to write it, but too many kids do it to take a chance. If you need information and advice, I recommend the Family Alliance for the Mentally Ill's Information and Referral line 510-835-0188. Good luck and God bless. I will be thinking of you and your son. Marilyn
To Scared Parents: Please take your son's words seriously and get him some help. A group doesn't seem appropriate at this point as his suffering seems to be reaching a culmination. A therapist I would whole heartedly recommend for great balance and wisdom and experience with troubled young people is Betty Tharpe in Albany. Her number is listed on Solano Avenue. Best to you. Anonymous
To Scared Parent: I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who felt worried for you and your son when I read your posting. There are many places to look for help for your son, and I strongly encourage you to do so. I don't want to alarm you, but he definitely seems to be in a great deal of pain and needs individual attention, and not just a group. Where you look may depend on your financial resources and your insurance coverage. You should probably begin by alerting his physician. If you have Kaiser, or medical insurance you should start there to have him evaluated by a psychiatrist. If neither of those is a possibilty, I would call Berkeley Mental Health (if you live in Berkeley). The East Bay California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists has a web page and the California Chapter of the American Psychological Association has a referral service, but you really need to find someone who has experience seeing teenagers who feel suicidal, have possible delusions and are in crisis. I would take this seriously, and act quickly to help relieve the pain he is obviously in. Mary Ann
Children's Hospital offers some mental health services and the people they employ are part-time and so also in private practice.. Dr. Brent Carter who was there several years ago was good for my son. --Anon
Depressed 14-year-old
My 14 year old son has been very depressed, and this year his grades have gone from As to Fs. He said proudly: I've conquered school. He wants to return to England (we left there four years ago) and is rebelling...hates America. I'm trying therapy for him. I've also wondered about an Outward Bound program... (he's expressed interest in white water rafting). Has anyone any experience of their programs? And of the sort of effect this might have? (June 2001)
Reply: see recommendations for Outward Bound
Regarding teens with depression: I have heard very good things about Outward Bound, although I have no reports about the effect on someone with depression. If it is something HE is interested in, it could well be worthwhile. Another thing is that I have seen a number of people (teens and adults) with depression feel better and have more energy after receiving Reiki. The practitioner places his or her hands on the head, chest, abdomen and back of the client (who is clothed). The client, on some unconscious level, pulls in healing energy. The healing energy is energy that surrounds us all the time. The practitioner is a conduit for that energy, like copper is a conduit for electricity. The Reiki seems to activate the person's own healing process and makes them open for whatever they need next. It should not replace either psychotherapy or any from of medical care, but can be used as an adjunct. Often, a wonderful synchronicity happens after a series of Reiki sessions; the person finds just the right thing to help them. Reiki is simple, non-invasive. I have been doing Reiki for 14 years and teaching it for 9 years. If you want, I'll be happy to send you some information, talk with you and your children, and give appropriate referrals. Wishing you lots of luck in your search for the best thing to help your children. Meg
Depressed & Suicidal Daughter
I would love to hear from anyone who has had experience with teen ( girl) depression, suicide moods. My daughter sees a therapist once every two weeks because its all I can afford. We basically have a very positive relationship , but there are other factors. I know it is important to take all these indications very seriously, and I am, but I also wonder if there is a trend or a style going around that encourages this kind of talk -- a psychological equivalent of ghetto style. My daughter's moods shift. Often she seems just fine. But I hesitate to leave her along for very long at all these days - which makes it hard to have a life since I am a single parent. Any feedback about this kind of a situation would be really welcome. (2001)
Any talk of suicide should be taken seriously. Cognitive therapy and/or medication are 2 very successful treatments. A Mom
Take talk about suicide very seriously. It's good that your daughter is talking to you about it. Sure lots of kids talk about death & suicide & morbid subjects & Marilyn Manson, etc. but that is distinctly different than suicidal ideation. The danger with depression and suicidal ideation is that a depressed person of any age can accidently kill themselves by taking permanent measures to solve a temporary problem. Your daughter needs more therapy like 2 times a week at least. If she cannot promise that she will keep herself safe, you should immediately have her evaluated for hospitalization. There are many resources for sliding scale therapy in the Bay Area.
Also, make certain she has the phone number of the Suicide Prevention & Crisis Intervention Service for your county. Alameda County's is: 510 849-2212.
Parental Stress may also be of help to you at: 510 893-5444
Be calm & take this issue very seriously.
What does your daughter's therapist say about whether teens try on depressive and suicidal attitudes? What does the therapist say about medication for depression - and is the therapist an M.D. who can prescribe it? What does your daughter's pediatrician say about teen depression and medication?
I would definitely continue to take your daughter's talk and signals seriously. As the mother of two middle-aged to old teenagers, I have not heard anything at all to indicate that saying one is depressed or is considering suicide is a fashionable attitude that kids try on.
As one who has personally battled several serious episodes of depression since young adulthood, here is what I have learned the hard way - I need medicine, and I believe that is true of many, most, or even all clinically depressed people. Modern anti-depressive medication has made me myself again. (I have taken Effexor and Wellbutrin, not at the same time, of course - both work well for me, with no side effects to speak of.)
I have had talk therapy too, and while it was a positive experience, I don't believe now that it actually pulled me out of my first terrible episode of depression, which went on for well over a year. I believe now that what happened was that over time my body was able to heal the physical illness that causes depressive episodes.
In the meantime, the talk therapy was the supportive care that kept me alive while my body battled the disease - it kept me from suicide, so it certainly worked to that extent! But even so my suffering during that time was terrible, and it was again in subsequent episodes until I tried medication. With medication, one doesn't have to suffer; one's life and work don't have to fall apart.
I urge you to talk to your pediatrician and to the therapist about trying medication. Your daughter might or might not feel that taking anti-depressives will stigmatize her, or will be a scary confirmation that she is really sick, but if she is clinically depressed, her life is at stake, literally.
As a wizened old survivor, I know that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. But not all young people understand that.
My heart goes out to you. Living with a child or teen who may be suicidal is terribly hard. It wears on you day by day like water on rock -- occasionally a torrent, usually a steady flow, rarely ceasing altogether. I assume your daughter's therapist has explained the hierarchy of increasingly serious signs to watch for: such as suicidal ideation at the bottom, talk of specific plans, attempts effective or not. If not, call a suicide prevention center or the therapist and get filled in.
Take it very seriously. Better to overreact than live with regrets and if-onlys. The sad truth is that you must face the reality that your child may try to take her own life, and may succeed despite all you try to do. It is better to face this than to avoid it. Once faced, you can go on with the here and now.
Do you have friends to talk to? It is not something to hide or be ashamed of, and talking to a sympathetic friend, relative, or minister can help give you perspective and ease the burden you carry each day.
You didn't mention drug treatment (e.g. antidepressants). Consider it. This is no time to be a drug-free purist.
Finally, love her. Simply love her.
The City of Berkeley's Mental Health Division provides excellent service to families, teenagers and children who reside in Berkeley or Albany or attend Berkeley or Albany schools who are experiencing moderate to severe emotional, psychological, or relational problems. They are an excellent resource: their staff are well trained and very carefully selected . Fees are on a sliding scale based on income.
Their programs include outpatient clinical services and adolescent mental health services at the Berkeley High School Health Center. Contact
Family, Youth and Children's Services 1925 Derby Street Berkeley, CA 94704 (510) 644-6617 Telephone (510) 644-6021 Fax (510) 644-6915 TDD
A long time ago (13 years or so), I went to the Women's Therapy Center. They have a sliding scale (at the time, it went down to $8/session. Last I heard, they had raised it to a minimum of $15/session, but that was at least 7 years ago; it may be higher now). I don't know if they deal with Teens. I found them to be just what I needed. They have student interns who are supervised by experienced therapists (my early appointments were sometimes recorded, so my counselor could talk with her supervisor about it). I chose to stay with my therapist after she entered private practice (though at that time she raised her rates, of course), and ended up working with her for 7 years. My husband also worked through the Men's Therapy Center at one point, and was satisfied with them. I think the key is to request another therapist if you don't click with the first one or two. Probably you can get info about the WTC or MTC from the phone book.
These are some thoughts concerning teenage girls, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
I've been thinking lately about the role of PMS in my life over the last 37 years. I think menstruation and PMS need to be talked about more openly and seriously rather than being joked about as they so often are. They need to be brought out of the closet as has been menopause. Over the years I have been severely depressed, suicidal (even attempting to take my own life at one point), and full of rage. But it's only been lately that I've seen VERY CLEARLY the connection between my moods and my monthly cycle. The majority of my cycles begin with about 5 days of extreme sadness with lots of weeping, rage at everyone and everything, feelings of despair and hopelessness, and seemingly uncontrollable lashing out at people around me, not to mention the physical symptoms - headaches, backaches, and cramps. The emotional symptoms are more intense for me than the physical. This 12 times per year for the last 37 years - since I was 11. I wish that I had had someone to tell me from the beginning that this was hormonal, that I was not crazy, that this is not who I am , that it will pass, that I could get relief from it. But menstruation was not talked about in my family - it was a private thing. I learned about it from a film shown during girl scouts. It's only been fairly recently that I've learned to hide for a few days, to talk sense to myself, and to put my family on PMS alert.
I realize that there are other causes for depression, that there is depression that lasts for long periods of time, that boys and men get depressed. But it seems to me that if you feel your emotions and body are beyond your control and you don't have a clear understanding of why it's happening, that can contribute to feelings of being crazy, that something is seriously wrong with me, leading to issues of self-esteem and more generalized depression? I don't know, I'm no doctor, but this seems to have applied in my case.
Not having a teenage daughter (I have a teenage son), but having been one and having known many, I know that the combination of bad PMS and the typical life issues that teenage girls deal with can be incredibly intense. Girls need to be observed closely to see if there's a connection between their monthly cycles and their behavior, and then helped through these times by supportive adults. Let them know that they're not crazy, that this is not who they are, that this will pass, that they can weep on your shoulder, that they are still loveable. Get them medical help if necessary.
Re: teen depression I would also take suicidal ideation very seriously. My sister has been depressed since she was a teenager (though she hid it well by being the family clown). The depression as gotten worse and worse over the years, and recently (at age 55) she attempted suicide.
A few more thoughts on this. Please think back over your child's life to see whether he/she has had any kind of illness with very high fever, including but not limited to meningitis, encephalitis, measles or whether he/she has had any kind of injury to the head. With either of these situations, the child might have sustained some brain injury. People with brain injury CAN have depression as a side effect. The treatment for this kind of depression is quite different from other forms of depression. Please be aware that many doctors and even many neuropsychologists are unaware of the possible connection between childhood brain injury (from disease or injury) and adult depression. However, you can contact Cai Johnson and Children's Hospital. She is a pediatric neuropsychologist and knows of this possible connection. Testing is required to determine whether a particular person's depression is connected with childhood brain injury (of course, I would assume there has to be a history of such injury before anyone would do such testing).
Also, Sat. Aug 12, there is a special training for parents of teens from 10 am to 12 noon, through PLI (Parents Leadership Institute). The price is quite reasonable. PLI made the difference between day and night in my relationship with my daughter.
There is another amazing resource, especially if your teen is 18 or older. It called Recovery Inc. and is a self-help group, somewhat like 12-Step programs, only more structured and more practical (in my PERSONAL opinion). It is meant specifically help people deal with every day life, especially people with depression, anxiety, etc. It is common sense put into a method. The person who referred me to it commented, And there's nothing so uncommon as common sense. If your teen is under the age of 18, someone else can go to the meetings (no charge! you can give a donation at the end of the meeting IF you want and can), and then work with the teen. There is a book used in Recovery entitled Mental Health Through Will Training. That is the book used n the meetings, and it is useful to read the book at home.
Unhappy & Frustrated 16-year-old
We have a depressed 16 year old Berkeley High sophomore. After the first semester of school went poorly we had him tested by a learning disability specialist who diagnosed him ADD. Unfortunately we feel he has given up on himself and has fallen into a serious depression, he has narrowed his group of friends to a few who have all dropped out of high school, and he is ignoring his school work. In spite of all this, he gets up every day and goes to school without complaint, and he doesn't skip classes despite his self professed extreme boredom. He seems to be uninterested in seeking therapy (as he is uninterested in everything else), he is not receptive to treatment with drugs (he tried ritalin for 2 days before giving it up), and we don't know where to turn. We promised him next school year will not be the frustrating experience this year was but we are uncertain how to keep that promise, especially since he is not doing anything to help. The whole family suffers when one member is so unhappy. There has to be some way to convince a 16 year old that success in school will ensure a better future. We would like to hear from anyone who has been through this, or just wants to give advice, recommend a school, a therapist etc... - we need help. Gateway school in SF sounded like it might be the solution, but it their admissions person made it reasonably clear that they are looking for students who are already academic achievers, not children with potential who need help overcoming learning problems. (May 2001)
Try the Seascout program in the Berkeley Marina. This is a great program that has room for all jkinds of kids if they can pull a rope and handle a bouy. AB
(recommendations for Sea Scouts )
I would advise you to find a counselor for your son, and look into private highschools for next year. The cost is high, but the cost of inaction is higher. Even though the regular application and enrollment process is officially over, openings do sometimes come up.
We faced a similar situation with our daughter when she was in seventh grade at King. Things slid from bad to worse, and were not helped when she wanted to handle various situations on her own, without parental support, or interference, and soon began to lie to try to patch her realities together, and cover her mistakes. (No one suggested that she was ADD, however.)
She skipped 3 years in math, and then failed. We had death threats from other students on the answering machine. Mostly, she was depressed, scared and uninterested in anything in her life.
Our public schools have a lot to offer for those who can navigate their way through them. Our daughter could not.
Happily, after a year in a liberal, artsy private school, and supportive counseling, we have our daughter back. She writes, takes photos, sews, climbs, has constructive friendships, and talks with us about what's on her mind. She's increasingly involved in her academic subjects, and is beginning to define what she wants academically. Math is back on track. Sometimes it's stormy, but she is engaged in life, trying her wings, and learning to fly.
My son had a similiar reaction to Berkeley High -- if you go there and visit, you'll see why. For some students, it is not a very supportive environment. Plus they are going through tremendous changes in their bodies and it will only get worse. I suggest :1) moving 2) Beacon School or some other school that is more supportive-- how about Orinda/Moraga/Layfette/Concord/Walnut Creek -- somewhere on a BART line (if you can't afford a private school) 3) have him take the GED/Chespeake (or whatever it's called and graduate early). Don't send him back to Berkeley High!!!
In addition to dealing with the larger, long-term problems, there are some short-term things that I read about, and that helped me when I myself was depressed: 1) Keep major changes like moving, changing schools, and so forth, to a minimum, where possible - even if the changes are positive. Large changes are inherently stressful. 2) Gently and unobtrusively provide opportunities for him to do all the little things that he enjoys - playing cards, listening to music, going camping, reminiscing, telling jokes, dancing, painting, seeing old friends - whatever. Once begun, depression and enjoyment tend to perpetuate themselves as habits. Do what you can to re-establish the enjoyment habit. Beverly
You mention that although your son doesn't want to see a therapist, he goes to class and accepts school routines. Perhaps seeing a therapist can be another one of those non-optional things that kids have to do. It sounds like he desperately needs the help and is not in a state of mind to make that decision himself. Good luck! Louise
Questions about Medications
Teen won't take antidepressants anymore
August 2011
Our teenager was taking a low dose of an antidepressant and it seemed to be helping a lot with getting along with others and being much more pleasant to be around and over all just a huge improvement. Now she won't take it anymore and says it ''harms her creativity, etc.'' I think she read this kind of thing online, because she reads stuff and then talks as if she knows it to be true. Anyway, has anyone had any experience with this and how might we talk her into taking it (celexa) again. anon
How about sitting down with her and doing the research together? There are certainly sites listing both benefits and side effects of medications. Maybe there are some benefits that will appeal to her, as well as some side effects you want to be aware of, such as a higher risk of suicide: http://depression.emedtv.com/celexa/celexa-and-suicide.html
It's also worth taking a look at a book by Irving Kirsch called The Emperor's New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth. He has some interesting points, including: If you test antidepressant effectiveness using a control group with an ''active'' placebo (a placebo that produces a side effect, such as a dry mouth), clinical trials show that antidepressants and placebos are equally effective. But to get a drug approved for a particular use, the company needs to provide the FDA with 2 controlled studies showing its effectiveness. There can be a hundred studies that show the drugs are not effective, but these don't get ''counted'' as long as there are 2 that do show effectiveness. If you toss out enough studies, you can ''show'' anything.
Also many medications prescribed for kids (including celexa) are not FDA approved for kids. They have not been tested on kids and that use is off-label.
Take some time - it's worth being as informed as possible a careful mom
Resistant to the idea of meds, wanting input
May 2010
I have been very resistant to the idea of starting my 16 year old on antidepressants but am thinking he might benefit from them. Anyone who has experience with this issue (positive or negative), I'd love to get your input. Thanks
Both my teenagers (17 year old boy and 14 year old girl) are on antidepressants.Although they were each engaged in therapy for some time before trying medication, in each case the meds have improved their depression in a way that did not occur before trying medication.
My son suffered from a mild chronic depression for some years, affecting his self-esteem, although he has always done well in school and had a nice circle of friends. He says now that, before meds, he constantly worried about what others were thinking of him, which caused him to feel ill at ease and inhibited in social settings. Now he is relaxed and confident, and says he no longer ruminates about everything. The first medication tried worked well for him. His psychiatrist is Dr. Peter Freedman, his therapist Laurie Case, both in Berkeley, and I would recommend both of them.
My daughter has suffered from a more severe depression the past few years, triggered by taking Singulair for her asthma (now under investigation by the FDA for causing suicidal ideation and depression, particularly in children and teenagers) and bullying at school (probably her depression caused her to become a target).Her psychopharmacologist is Dr. Lisa Hardy in Danville; her therapist is JJ Kelly at the Berkeley Therapy Institute. She is now on her second anti-depressant, and has responded fairly well, but still gets depressed, anxious, and has suicidal thoughts at times and occasionally cuts herself. Socially, she now has many close friends and is adept at navigating tricky social situations with a maturity beyond her years.
It has been very difficult, to say the least, and I expect that she may be trying a new anti-depressant in the near future. Of course, we worry about side effects, and whether our children will continue to struggle with depression all their lives.
For both kids, medication has clearly been beneficial. I believe that they both suffer from an inherited chemical imbalance, shared by family members/ancestors on both sides of the family, and their father and I felt this ultimately needed to be corrected with medication. They both responded quite quickly, once a theraputic dose was given. Talk therapy has also been an important part of treatment for both.
Good luck. It's hard to see your beloved children struggle with this disease, I know. anon
Your daughters situation sounds very much like what we have been experiencing for the last 9 months. In July of '09 my daughter had what we thought was a depressive episode triggered by the drug Accutane. After months of psychotherapy and meds (she was going to one of the docs in Dr. Hardy's office)which were not working, I took her to another psychiatrist who diagnosed her with soft symptom bipolar, a very rare side effect of Accutane. My daughter is currently on 3 meds and she is doing really well and in the very near future her doc will take her off two of the drugs and she will only be on one, which is an antidepressant/mood stabilizer.
Anti-depressants for 14 year old son?
May 2008
Our son claims that he's depressed. He's a well adjusted kid, popular in his 8th grade class, decent grades, but has been struggling recently juggling his school work and all the usual teenage battles. My husband works all the time and I'm a stay at home mom. Recently, there's been some stress in the family, older daughter going away to college, a near-death in the extended family. My husband and I are constantly arguing and I admit, it's an unhealthy environment for our children. It seems to be especially taking a toll on our 14 year old son. I tried taking him to therapist but he refuses to go (encouraged by my husband's ridicule of therapy). His older sister recently told me that our 14 year old admitted to her that he felt depressed and was interested in getting Anti- depressants but didn't want to come to ''mom and dad''. How do I approach him about this? Maybe b/c my husband tends to not take mental health seriously and our son feels that he wouldn't be taken seriously if he came to us. I'm fine with him going on Anti-depressants for a year or 2 but my main concern is that if he is seriously depressed, couldn't he use the Anti-depressants to attempt suicide? Right now he's nowhere near that state but my fear would be that providing him with Anti-depressants could be loading him with a responsibility that he may not be ready for. How have other parents dealt with this? Also, if he refuses to go to therpay, can a doctor prescribe the Anti- depressants? Also, is it too large a responsbility for a 14 year old to take his Anti-depressants on his own (once daily) and be trusted to not abuse them? I appreciate any and all advice! worried mama
I wasn't sure whether to reply to the anti-depressant question or the one that followed re the bright child not doing well in school since I've dealt with both! Including the arguing at home which contributes to a kid's stress. My daughter, a very smart and responsible kid, had depression, dizziness and migraines in 8th grade and was home most of the year. It also became clear in middle school, as work became more intense, that she wasn't doing her homework at all. In brief, we had her tested and found ADD, which can be hard to find in girls who aren't ''hyper.'' She didn't want to go to a psychiatrist but we talked her into it to get meds, and then told her she had to go every few weeks to keep the meds in check. She started Wellbutrin and Topomax. She didn't like ADD meds. And is now at MacGregor High, the alternative school in Albany, where she is doing her work and more, and says she ''loves'' because it's more independent, positive, interesting, and small. She sees her old friends after school and made new ones at Mac High. Check out the alternative schools in whatever town you're in. My daughter opted to go off of Wellbutrin on her own, and generally is doing so much better. Removing the homework struggle has changed our lives. It has been totally consuming to work this out, but worth the effort. Keep Trying
I would suggest that your son go to therapy and try to work things out that way first. I think a good therapist will be able to diagnose his condition. He may be feeling upset and doesn't want to deal with the ''talk'' therapy and that's why he's asking for the meds. They are not to be taken easily. They are very powerful drugs. It's not like taking an aspirin to make the pain go away. There are side effects. If the issues you mention that are going on in your house, I would say they might be having an effect on him. Why don't you go with him for family therapy? If the father doesn't want to participate that's fine, you can still make progress. That may be an issue that your son needs to learn how to deal with and a good therapist might be able to help.
My daughter was suicidal and we started her on anti-depressants and it really helped her. She's been very responsibly taking them since she was 14. She is monitored by a psychiatrist. I don't think she would abuse them, but that's her.
It sounds like your son needs some help. Start with therapy, just tell him that he needs to try this first even if his dad is being a jerk about it. My daughter's father wasn't so on-board at first until it became apparent that she was really in trouble.
good luck anon
Dear Mother of 14-year old, it sounds like your family is going through a lot of stress. I, too, have a husband who works a lot and I am a stay at home mom... I would urge you to wait a bit with the anti-depressants. Summer is here. So your son will experience less stress. Give him and yourself a couple of months to adjust to the changes (daughter leaving for college, near death in family). I think things will calm down and your son will feel better. Perhaps you and him can go off on a vacation together??? Take a friend of his and enjoy your time away... Hope this helps. Barbara, SAM of 3
It sounds like your son is temporarily unhappy for good reasons: the hormones of adolescence, a stressful home life, and other life challenges. Seems rational to me. A doctor is unlikely to prescribe anti-depressants before the patient's life is adversely affected by clinical symptoms: academic failure, lost appetite, poor hygiene, increased social isolation, acting out, suicidal thoughts, etc. (FYI, every teen can find websites on methods of self- destruction using only common household implements and OTC drugs.)
In my personal experience, unlike the amphetamines or barbituates of several generations ago, the antidepressants in current use have little or no effect unless they happen to address someone's particular chemical imbalance. They thus are less susceptible to abuse, but it may take longer to find the right one. A small percentage of people, in particular teens, reportedly become suicidal on Prozac, usually in the first few weeks of taking it. But there are several classes of anti-depressants. They can be useful medicine.
I sympathize with your concern, and would encourage you to keep up a supportive emotional connection with your son. In particular, watch for signs that he is smoking or drinking to cope with depression (a very bad longterm strategy). A healthy diet and regular exercise can also make a huge positive difference. good luck!
I would say definitely talk to your son if he is saying he's depressed. I would ask him if he'd like to talk to someone (therapist, counselor). Sometimes just knowing that our parents are listening to us and supportive makes all the difference. He may not even need anti-depressants, and even if they are recommended you can always get a second opinion. Therapy for him and for members of the family, if their willing, can make a difference. First step is to communicate with your son and take him seriously. Mother of a depressed son
Depressed 15-year-old refuses therapy & meds
March 2008
We need advice on what to do with our 15 year old son, we are so spent. He does suffer from depression, probably anxiety and bipolar. he refuses to see a therapist or take any medication. He did take medication for a while and was very angry about it He was very drugged looking and obviously needed it to be adjusted or changed but won't go to appointments or the appointments were scheduled far apart(kaiser)and all in all the whole therapy/medication turned him against any help whatsoever. The therapist that I did like asked my son if he wanted to be there and of course my son said ''NO''. The therapists response was he didn't like to see anyone who did not want to be there. Seems reasonable but what are we suppose to do with our son. He is not threatening suicide or harm to anyone else but he is losing out on life and it is so painful to watch. He is not interested in school(failing) or friends only his computer. What have other parents done with their teens? How do we get through to him??? Any miracle worker therapists out there?
a heartbroken parent
p.s. we do not have the $$$ to send him off on a wilderness experience
Our son is the same age and going through the same thing. After seeing many therapists, psychiatrists, and even two neurologists, the person who helped us is Dr. Ron Cohen in Los Altos. I realize that's a long drive for you but maybe your son could be coaxed to see him just once? If not, I think YOU might go to see him. He helps me keep a slightly tighter grip on my sanity. The other thing we're doing is an IEP through the school so we can qualify for mental health services. Given our current whacked government (all $$ to Iraq and none to mental health agencies) it's tough to find help but if you are persistent you can talk to people who give good advice on what you can DO. I'm slowly realizing my kid won't be a normal high school student but we can adjust, get him through this, and hope that his brain works on a more even keel in a year or two. I understand how truly awful it is to worry about your son 24/7. It affects your health and your entire life. Ann
By way of background, we have 2 children who have struggled with similar issues from childhood through their teenage years.
First, my initial reaction on reading your post was that if there's a problem getting your son into individual therapy, try engaging him in family therapy first. A family therapist may have more influence than you do directly. Sending your son to a therapist you and your husband see alone isn't what I have in mind.
Second, therapy alone is unlikely to be enough; medication treatment is, in my view, essential. They are rarely a panacea, but they usually help significantly.
Meds compliance: You're absolutely right that the wrong meds will discourage compliance, and that frequent visits are important until an effective medication regime is identified. Waiting on Kaiser to schedule follow-ups is a recipe for failure, as you've learned.
Finally: your son is a minor and you are in charge. I know that being in charge doesn't make it easy to deal with him. But you can make him engage in treatment. That is a challenge, but can probably be overcome with persistent firmness. If it takes serious negative consequences, so be it. Do it while you still can. Once your son sees some benefit he will almost certainly become more cooperative, even though it is a pain in the butt. So are daily insulin injections.
I've heard good and bad things about the Kaiser system; from unrelated (non-psych) experiences I know that there are some very good doctors there, but that it can take aggressive advocacy and persistence to get what you want/need. If you can afford it, I would recommend paying for some outside consultation with a well-regarded psychiatrist so you at least have some foundation in dealing with the Kaiser system. But regardless of that, get your son treated and be pro-active.
Good luck. Dealing with these issues is like being caught in the mill of the gods. It wears a family down. But hang in there. Things can and will get better once your son is well-treated. A fellow parent...
I've read a few posts lately about teens with depression and being 'bipolar.' If you haven't already, please be very cautious about accepting a diagnosis of bipolar. It has been extremely over diagnosed the past few years. I know...our daughter was diagnosed incorrectly and ultimately, was on multiple medications that she did not need to be on. As a parent with a child who has indeed struggled with depression and extreme mood swings the past few years, I know how desperate one can become to have a psychiatrist find a diagnosis. I've been there.
After her psychiatrist labeled her ADD last spring after meeting with her for 15 minutes and handed us yet another script, we knew we had to run, not walk, and get another opinion. The professionals at Langley Porter evaluated our daughter and long story, short, she is a new person and we have hope. She went from 6 medications down to one (and will eventually be off that med too) and began a program called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT for short). It has been no less than a miracle. She has learned coping skills and is now looking forward to going off to college in a couple years.
Please, please, please question any psychiatrist who labels your child bipolar. Unfortunately, children who are depressed or have other mental/nervous issues can't get an MRI and have a clear diagnosis, so as parents, we must continue to question and not accept all diagnoses without a thorough evaluation. Been down that road
I also have a teen who suffers with severe depression. We did not give her a choice to do psychotherapy and take psychotropic medication. She has never wanted to take the medication but I have treated it like any other medical problem, I wouldn't give her a choice about antibiotics. Ditto with therapy, she initially was relieved we were sending her, then she became resistant (told her to talk to the therapist) and now she loves her therapist. Medication is a key component of her recovery but it can be tricky finding the right one for your child. Consistent aerobic exercise is also a known antidepressant if this is possible. Kaiser often can't provide the ongoing therapy these kids need. For boys my recommendations: Joe Saah, MFT The Men's Center Berkeley, John Sprinson, Ph.D. Oakland, and David Selniker, Ph.D. also in Oakland. Hang in there. Mary
Anxiety medication for 13 year old?
June 2006
We are thinking of agreeing to give our son medication for his anxiety. A behavioral pediatrician recommended it because his anxiety is effecting his peer relations and our home life quite a bit. Does any one have experience with the SSRIs or other anxiety meds? What are/were the side effects and what are the benefits? anxious parent
We too were concerned about trying an SSRI with our 13 year old son a few years ago for anxiety and obsessive compulsive behavior, and I can well appreciate the difficulty of your decision given the severe warnings with adolescents. Our son was afraid of airplane travel and even trying new restaurants. Every night, he spent about 20 minutes compulsively tidying up his room before bed. It began to impact our family life. We tried patient reasoning. We tried bribery. All to no avail. Finally, our developmental pediatrician started him on a very low dose of fluoxetine (generic Prozac), and the change has been wonderful. I'm happy to report that his room is now an age appropriate mess at night. It's no longer a struggle to travel abroad, and my son tries all sorts of strange food here and abroad. We've noticed no adverse reactions, but our behavioral pediatrician sees our son every few months to keep an eye on him, and we try to do the same. So, our experience has been very positive, but we remain watchful. I'd recommend doing some research on the internet, and I wish you the best with this difficult decision. another concerned parent
I believe that we need to attack my daughter's depression from all angles, including dietary and nutritional aspects. We go to talk therapy, on and off together and seperatly. The family (art) therapy is very good. Have you tried therapy as a family? Has your son gone on his own? My daughter is taking an SSRI medication (Celexa-not sure if this is also an anti-anxiety med). It's been 1 year now and has really helped her depression. She has had no side effects. She had to work up to a dosage where she actually felt a difference, which took about two months. Other people tend to notice the difference sooner than that person taking the drugs. We have gone through a psychiatrist who specifically treats adolescents, not the pediatrician, who didn't feel comfortable prescribing the meds. I was given a short list of side effects by the Dr. He didn't want to scare me with the long list, but I got them through the pharmacist, anyway. It's good to know what to be aware of when starting on these really powerful meds. Remember there are no studies done on young people with developing brains with these drugs. If you are sure you want to try these, make sure your son knows what the side effects are also and to even keep a journal of how he's feeling so you can communicate about it. That's really important. Good luck and do your research.
This is a really weird site, but also has some interesting info if you can take what you need and leave the rest. It's postings by people on perscription medications. http://www.crazyboards.org. You don't have to join or say anything, just read. There are others, I couldn't remember the addresses, but there must be some tamer ones out there reluctant to go on the meds
Psychotropic medications (including stimulants, antidepressants, SSRIs, etc.) all have side-effects and they should be used only with a firm and accurate diagnosis. For example, some of these drugs can actually precipitate a psychosis and make the situation much worse. If you are considering medication, have an evaluation by a psychiatrist (M. D.), a specialist in the use of medications. A ''behavioral pediatrician'' is not a traditional specialty in my understanding. Robert
The one thing I didn't know that I should have known in medicating my very anxious child was that, if there is a history of bipolar disorder on either side of the family, you run the risk of activating it if you administer SSRIs for the anxiety. We did and we did. Zoloft worked great for three months and then mania set in, and we've been on a roller coaster since. Knowing what I know now, I don't know what I would do. He's now taking Xanax for the anxiety, because even on mood stabilizers, he can't tolerate SSRIs. Some kids with history of bipolar in the family can take SSRIs with or without mood stabilizers. Just another ''little'' worry to worry about. heather
I am responding as a parent who was an extremely anxious child, teenager, and young adult. It was not until my mid-twenties that, after an episode of severe, crippling anxiety & depression, I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and tried an SSRI (Paxil). The change was, for me, nothing short of miraculous. I simply did not know that I could live without grinding worry and periods of intense anxiety. My experience with medications has not been perfect. There are troublesome side effects (namely weight gain and lack of libido). I still have breakthrough anxiety episodes where I will need to use benzodiazapenes for a couple of weeks. But I have tried to goo off the meds many, many times, only to have the grinding worry return, so I have accepted that I need to stay on an SSRI, likely for life. There are many troublesome issues related to young people and psychotropic medications. SSRIs seem to sometimes affect adolescents differently than adults. And it can be difficult to differentiate ''normal'' teenage turmoil from something that might be a disorder calling for treatment. I do know that seeing how medication has improved my life, I wish very much that my mom or my psychotherapist had suggested a trial of medication when I was younger. My anxiety led me to engage in some risky, self-destructive behaviors (early sexual activity, binge drinking, self-medicating with pot). And many of my memories of childhood are of carrying around fears and feeling that the world was a threatening place. But SSRIs didn't exist then, so talk therapy was about all I was given, but it simply wasn't enough. (I am assuming you will speak with your child about what she wants to do....) A Worrier
There is no way to tell which SSRI's will help a particular child, to my knowledge. What helps one child may not help another. One child may have side effects and another may not. Unfortunately you just have to try one or some and see. My 11 year old son has been on a generic brand of Prozac for a year for an anxiety disorder called Selective Mutism. It has helped him tremendously and he has had NO side effects. Another boy I know with the same issue was put on another SSRI and it helped him, where Prozac did not. What I do know is that Prozac is the longest used SSRI on children and SO FAR studies do not show any long term ill effects. I believe the others are too new to have any solid evidence from studies. Hope this is helpful. Good luck anon
When I was 15 I was diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder by a therapist and medicated for it. I think I took Zyprexa at that time. While we were concerned about my being so young to be on that type of drug (it's classified as an antipsychotic, sounds bad I know), the anxiety and depression were certainly worse. I'd ask yourself and your daughter how disruptive and unconfortable the anxiety problem is (I know it can be quite debilitating) and if medication would relieve it, go for it! If you think it can be managed through various therapies, maybe try that route first. As an adult now, I have my anxiety and depression problems under control and I'm glad my parents made the decision to medicate me. It was too unmanageable for me without it. Good luck to you and I wish you all the best Been there
We have had our son on Celexa for depression and Concerta and Stratera for his ADD for 4 or 5 years. He tolerates all these medications very well with no side effects, and his life is a lot easier (although there is much he still needs help with). A symptom of depression in kids can be anger or anxiety. However, SSRIs are NOT anti-anxiety agents (like ativan, klonopin or valium) which have the unfortunate problem of developing tolerance. I suggest a good MD to help you through these complicated issues. We really like Dr. Josephine Lindt in Albany at(510) 525-2670. she's a Developmental Pediatrician. DF
Antidepressants for Teens?
Related page: Antidepressants
Has anyone had experience with antidepressants being prescribed for teen agers? My daughter's therapist has brought this up as a possibility. I can see lots of potential problems with this. Perhaps also some benefits. But I have no knowledge or experience. I would welcome feedback from people who have had experience with this. Thanks.
Our family has just learned that our bright, active 15-year-old daughter is very depressed and talking of suicide. She is now receiving counseling and has been prescribed Prozac, but she doesn't want to take it. I'm looking for advice from other parents whose teens are on anti-depressants. Did it really help? Did it make her feel weird? Any strange side effects? How long before it started helping? Does your child have any advice for a teen who's been prescribed anti-depressants? Or do you have some advice for me?
My daughter became very depressed with suicidal ideations when she was 13. Since we have a great deal of familial depression in our family I took it very seriously. Long story short, she went to Lisa Hardy, MD, at Children's in Oakland about whom I can't speak highly enough. My daughter was put on Zoloft, which helped tremendously. After about 6-8 months she felt well enough to come off the Zoloft and has been doing well ever since - that was about a year ago. She had been to therapists but the reality was, she was pretty clear what her life issues were - and they were enough to make anyone depressed - and was dealing with them. She still is but now she's far more able to given that she has the psychic energy to do so.
my 15 year old son was very depressed last school year. he wasn't talking about suicide but he basically stopped doing any homework so he went from being an a student to an f student. he wouldn't go to therapy or take medication. he finally bottomed out (one of those moments when you both recognize that it's either therapy or something dangerous could happen) in november, 99. he went to therapy willingly but continued refusing medication. finally in may, 2000, with a bribe from me, he agreed to try medication. unfortunately, the first med we tried effexor didn't seem to help. we were moving in july and he was going to summer school and it was all more than he could handle. i don't need to tell you the whole story but what i do want to tell you is that he's now a freshman, he's on wellbutrin, also taking adderall (for adhd) and finished his first semester with a's and b's. he is SOOO much better. last year i'd find him lying on the couch motionless, unable to move because he couldn't deal with all the homework he had. that doesn't happen anymore. i'm sure he would agree that medication has helped him greatly. don't know if he'd be willing to talk to your daughter (maybe), but i'm happy to talk to you. feel free to email me and let me know if you'd like to talk on the phone or in person. best of luck to you,
In the Jan. 30 teen newsletter you asked about your depressed daughter not wanting to take prozac. My son, now 15, had these problems at 12 while in middle school. We started him in counseling and prozac was prescribed. He started taking it and it made a world of difference. It took about three weeks to actually take effect. At the end of those three weeks, he felt better, and we all felt better. He took prozac until this past summer, and decided he didn't need it any more. We consulted with his therapist and the psychiatrist who prescribed the prozac. All felt that if he was ready to get off, he could make that decision. He stopped taking it and has been fine. He took it for about 2 1/2 years. We did not notice, nor did he feel side effects. He stopped gradually, decreasing dosage until he stopped. There has been no withdrawal problems. He does continue with his therapist, and feels that he still needs that outlet.
I know your fear and feelings of helplessness to see your child depressed and talking of suicide. It was so hard to see my 12 year old in that place. If you want, I can ask him if he has any advice to give your daughter and get back to you. My advice to you is just keep giving her lots of love and support, and keep talking with her. Even if you don't think she is listening, she is hearing you deep inside, and it does make a difference.
If your daughter would be willing to take the Prozac for a month, she would be in a much better place to decide whether to continue. I'm a parent (different, of course) but, did not realize I was depressed until I began taking Prozac and felt better. No important side effects, no big deal, but a big difference.
My suggestion is to be as sympathetic as possible with your daughter- acknowledge her feeling unhappy. Explain that sometimes depression is a chemical imbalance or being depressed creates a chemical imbalance - encourage her to try the antidepressant for a few weeks. Ask her if she feels any negative side effects. Some antidepressants are more suitable for one person than another - check with your dr. if there are unwanted side effects or it's not working - it takes time to get the right medicine and dosage worked out. Hand the medication to her each day and watch her take it. Look up side effects on the web - especiialy chat or message boards - some side effects are just temporary. Anti depressants really do work! Ask your daughter's therapist what you and the rest of the family can say or do to help. Keep life at home as cozy and as regular as possible. Be as close to your daughter and spend as much time with her as she will allow - even if you have to change your schedule. Let her know she is not alone. I have just been dealing with a similar situation. Best of luck and hang in there!
Responding to the family with the daughter suffering from depression: Assuming you and she trust the diagnosis, take the medication. Our 16-year old son has been taking a similar drug for two months. He hasn't noticed any side affects, and for a while was wondering if it was having any effect. However, over the past month both he and his parents have noticed a definite improvement, and it's improved his ability to function socially. He's still having a great deal of difficulty concentrating and memorizing, as apparently it can take several months for the medication to affect learning areas. He manages his own medication in consultation with his doctor. Naturally he's pretty sensitive on the subject and had difficulty discussing it with us, let alone other people or agencies such as the school.
I'd advise you to take the diagnosis seriously, as depression can severely affect judgement and concentration, as well as inhibiting consideration of long-range plans or consequences. It's apparently fairly common in adolescents, especially in girls. If not treated it could get worse and she could wind up with significant problems. Treatment is usually accompanied by psychotherapy, though I assume that's how you got the original diagnosis. If you want more information a quick web search on 'Prozac', 'Zorloft' or 'Depression' will provide a wealth of information.
Just a question and response to the parents of the depressed daughter. Did your health care provider check whether she was taking any other drugs? There is an acne medication which is being linked to suicide proneness in teens. Apparently the manufacturer hasn't put that info on its inserts yet and there was a recent stink about it in the DC area . Secondly, have you considered using alternative therapies that might work with depression instead of drugs -- acupuncture, neurotherapy, massage therapy, or just plain old talk therapy, or talk therapy combined with some sort of physiological-energy enhancing therapy?
Hi, I do not have a teen who is depressed or has been prescribed prozac. Nor, do I have personal experience with depression or prozac. I do, however, have a sister (now 49 years old) who has a diagnosed mental illness (schizophrenia) and have received supportive and caring referrals from the Mental Health Association of Alameda County. You can reach them by calling 510/835-5010. They can give suggestions for you as a parent and for your teen. They also have a lending library with books and videos. I hope this is helpful.
Hello to the mother of the 15 year old. I have personal experience with anti-depressants and I hope I can be of some help, but I am not a health professional. The medications definately work, and do not in any way interfere with therapy by covering up emotions,a common misconception.There are many drugs on the market. Prozac is the oldest of a group of drugs known as selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors. They act on the seratonin receptors in the brain. Zoloft, Paxil and Luvox are also SSRI's. The claim is made that they act more quickly, have fewer side effects, and are safer than the older tricyclic antidepressants.They are safer, in that an overdose is not life threatening. They have different side effects, and in general they do act more quickly. However different depressed people have different brain chemistry, some will respond to SSRI's, some will respond to medications that act upon the norepinepherin receptors in the brain (the tricyclics). I am one of those, so I take a very old and unfashionable tricyclic antidepressant that no one has heard of but that works perfectly for me. Effexor,one of the newest drugs on the market,works on both chemical receptors.Doctors often don't like to explain the possible side effects lest they discourage the patient or cause the effect to appear by suggestion. They also don't like to point out to a seriously depressed person that an overdose of a tricyclic (a weeks supply, for example)can be fatal. So they generally go for the newer,safer drugs. The success rate in terms of alleviating depression is no better for the newer drugs. It all depends on the persons brain chemistry, and the only method for predicting what will work is trial and error. This requires time and patience. With all the drugs, it is important to start with a small dose and gradually move up to the therapeutic dose. It may take three weeks to arrive at the dose and another two to three weeks to get any improvement. If a drug is not making a dramatic improvement after three weeks at the target dose, switch to a different drug. In general, if you do not respond to Prozac, you may not respond well to other drugs in that class(Paxil etc) People change from Prozac to Paxil if it works but Prozac makes them too sleepy, or too hyped up, or too whatever. Is is not unheard of to go through five or six medications to find the one that works. Don't give up! When it works, it is a miracle. This may be more information than you asked for, but I was a depressed teenager in an era when medication was frowned upon (I am 52 now) and I feel that I suffered needlessly, so when I saw your note in the newsletter I got all fired up to write to you. The most important thing I can recommend is to be in contact with a Psychiatrist that knows medication. There are a lot of people out there prescribing antidepressants that know very little about them. Best of luck to you and your daughter. -- mother of a junior at Berkeley High