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Caring for a depressed teenager
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Mar 8, 2019 | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
Hi! Seeking advice and recommendations on places to go to get the best possible treatment for my daughter who struggles with depression and anxiety. We have seen a general doctor and then were referred to see a medication management doctor. We have had counseling off and on for the past several years. So far nothing has really helped. Seeking advice and recommendations on a great treatment program that others have tried. Thinking that we need to start with some sort of new evaluation to determine the best care. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Replies to "Hi! Seeking advice and recommendations on places to go to get the best possible treatment for..."
Hi, @crgh1. I'd like to add my welcome to @hopeful33250's to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can imagine that would be distressing that nothing really has helped thus far with your teen daughter's depression and anxiety.
You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion in the Depression & Anxiety group, "Caring for a depressed teenager." I did this so that you can meet others who have parented or been grandparents of teenagers dealing with depression and anxiety, like @hlvslp72 @windwalker @fattail @johnbishop @harleneq @ainsleigh and others. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification and you can scroll back through past messages. Hoping these members will have some ideas from their experiences on some sort of new evaluation to determine the best care.
How have things gone with school and relationships with her peers through the depression and anxiety, @crgh1?
Hello @crgh1, have you thought about Mayo Clinic? Here is some information on depression care at Mayo Clinic.
Depression care at Mayo Clinic
-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/care-at-mayo-clinic/mac-20356018
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Hello @crgh1 and welcome to Mayo Connect. Your daughter is very fortunate to have a mother who is concerned about her getting good treatment for depression. The teen years can be tough with all of the physical and social changes going on in their lives. It is not surprising that teens are prone to depression.
If you are comfortable sharing more details, could you explain how her depression is displayed? For example, is she withdrawn, does she cry, does she have problems with eating? How are her friendships: is she able to be part of clubs, church groups or team activities?
You mentioned that she has been in counseling on and off for "the past several years." Did these problems start before her teenage years?
Have you ever been part of a NAMI support group? They have family support group meetings for people who have family members dealing with depression, anxiety, etc. Here is their website where you can check on a support group near you, https://www.nami.org/find-support/nami-programs/nami-family-support-group
I look forward to hearing from you again. Will you post an update?