Caring for a depressed teenager

Posted by hlvslp72 @hlvslp72, Feb 26, 2019

Good Evening ,
I’m reaching out for advice, thoughts and experiences to help me and my family support my 17 year old son. He was diagnosed with anxiety and depression In the middle of of his Freshman year in high school. He was always a straight A/B student from elementary and all through middle school. School avoidance was a big issue freshman through mid junior year of high school. He is and always has been a quite , shy , somewhat anxious kid but when puberty hit his anxiety heightened leading to more depressive symptoms . He has been hospitalized for suicidal thoughts when he was 16. He is currently treated with medication, sees a psychiatrist monthly and a therapist , who he trusts and will talk to , every other week. School was a trigger for so many things that we decided to pull him from public school and complete his high school credits online . Some days are good and many days are not. I don’t hear suicidal thoughts , but his motivation is minimal. He avoids going anywhere. He will hang out at friends houses or out to eat but comes home and says he “got bored” and gets frustrated that he “can’t enjoy anything”. He constantly tells me how ugly he thinks he is . It’s a continuous roller coaster with his emotions. I know the negativity is the depression talking . We have tried many different medications. Currently he takes 300 mg of Effexor and 1 mg if Rexulti per day. He also takes Adderall to help increase his ability to focus on school work when needed . He has taken the Effexor for over a year and the Rexulti since September of 2018. There was a huge difference when he began the Rexulti and he was “back to normal” for the majority of the fall semester . Then the anxiety crept in and we reverted back, as if the medication was no longer working. An increase in dosage did not seem to make a difference .
I’m hitting a wall. I want to help him but feel I have done all the things a mom needs to, but I’m still trying to pull him out of the depressive moods so often.
I’m here to support him but don’t want to enable him to the point where he won’t leave the house . My husband has a hard time understanding anxiety and depression so I am the main problem solver. We have 2 other younger children . This has affected our family tremendously.
Any thoughts or advice are appreciated !

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

@susannamoy

I think medication and therapy have their legitimate places but I would urge you to access this video on YouTube: The Biggest Disease Affecting Humanity: I am not enough - by Marisa Peer. It could change your son’s and many other’s lives.

He is a high achiever and hates the way he looks. He doesn’t think he is good enough. The biggest disease affecting Humanity. Good Luck and much Love ❤️ Susanna

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Thank you ! I will be looking this up and watching with my son.
We also will be going to a showing on Angst - Raising Awareness Around Anxiety. I'm excited to see it and hope my son will begin to see that he is not the only one who feel this way.

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I wanted to reach out because my son has had increasing anxiety and depression throughout his life. He is 15 now. Through testing, we've discovered he has Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These infections can cause something called Lyme induced PANS which involves brain inflammation. The symptoms are fatigue, anxiety, depression and brain fog and also can cause periods of anger. I encourage you to look into this yourself because many health professionals are still not educated about this and children and parents are going through so much from misdiagnosis. 504 plans for your son's schooling can help some. Many parents, like myself, find online public school programs helpful because the classes are recorded. My son is able to watch them and do assignments when he is less symtomatic. I hope the best for you and your son. Sincerely, Anita M.

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@fattail

I have almost the exact situation, even my son's age. I'd like to share my (limited) success experiences and also asking for help from others.

1. He's been in therapy and medication since the onset in late 2016. After trying numerous meds and dosages, it helped some. But then he stalled. Then I found out about ketamine infusion, a clinic called NY Ketamine Infusion in downtown Manhattan, last year. Please research and familiarize yourself. It made some immediate and unmistakable improvements. It's the only thing that's worked! The first treatment was 6 sessions over two weeks, followed with one booster infusion two months after. BTW, I highly recommend the clinic without reservation.

2. I've been doing some reading on psychedelics, which have attracted a surge of research interest in recent years. But he seems overly cautious and concerned about trying it. I encouraged him to read up on his own. But he seems always focused on the negative -- partly as his predisposition and partly, I guess, due to his ongoing anxiety. I highly recommend everyone with similar challenges to read up on this fascinating and promising topic.

3. The effects and experiences with psychedelics, I've come to appreciate, heavily depends on the mindset beforehand (as well as the setting during the process). So he has to want to try it before it can work. You don't just pop in something like the usual meds. This is where I'm stuck. Any advice on how to persuade him would be much appreciated.

4. His currently state, I think, is mostly not depression but rather lingering anxiety. And I suspect a big part is the habit formed over the last 2.5 years -- not going to school even when he does manage to get up, procrastinating, spending too much time playing games and chatting, not leaving the house, not doing any physical activity. Am I wrong? Any differing perspectives would be much appreciated.

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Thank you !
I love to hear all the different therapies and treatments that others have tried or are researching. Your #4 sounds familiar. I struggle with knowing if it is depression or anxiety. I know it is a bit of both, but which one is worse? That is my question every day. My son's high anxiety triggers his depression. He gets angry with himself when he can't do something or when he perceives that he is not "good" at something. This leads him to isolate and the depression will increase. When he originally began his adjunct mediation this summer, there was a definite mood change. He was motivated, happy and doing what I would expect a normal teenager to do. This is how I know that he is in there somewhere. I still feel like we need to find that right medication or combination. Until then, I encourage him to get outside, shovel (we had 42 inches of snow this February), talk to his friends, drive his brother to soccer, pick his sister up from school etc. He tells me he is embarrassed to go anywhere (in public). There is the anxiety talking and we need to work on that. His psychiatrist is very proactive. If a medication doesn't work then we look at a different treatment. We will be seeing him this week.
Please keep me posted on any information you have found in your research or other treatments that have been beneficial for you. Hang in there and know that you are not alone.

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@hlvslp72

Hello !
Reading all these responses has been so refreshing and therapeutic for me. This has been a rough road but it is amazing how many others are going through the same thing that our family is right now. I really do suggest that you find a psychiatrist for your son as soon as you can. Although we have tried different medications (and still have some issues), they have made an absolute difference and have, more than likely, saved his life. Medication was scary for me at first due to all the warnings because of his age but my doctors have always been reassuring and monitor him closely. He needs to learn to read how he feels and understand when something is "different', which as a teenager, can be hard sometimes. We have found an online program that he can complete his high school credits at this own pace, which is needed due to his ups and downs.
Thank you for reaching out. I wish you all the best as well. If you get more information on the CBT therapy, please let me know. I'm always looking for all options. Hugs to you.

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Hello @hlvslp72

Your son is so fortunate to have you advocating on his behalf. I can tell you are working hard to help. You mentioned that you would like more information on Cognitive Behavior Therapy, also referred to as CBT. David Burns has written some very good books on that subject, including the Feel Good Workbook. You can also find some of his videos on YouTube.

Having a genetic study done to determine what medication would work best might also be helpful.

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@crgh1

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!

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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?

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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!

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@crgh1

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!

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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?

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@crgh1

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!

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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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@lisalucier

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?

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Hello !
My general doctor was the one who originally treated my son (depression meds). I eventually sought out a Psychologist and discussed all of his symptoms. The Psychologist then referred me to a psychiatrist for medication management. I highly highly recommend that you see a psychiatrist for the medication. I know it can be difficult to find one that will treat or see adolescence, but they are out there. Start with a clinical psychologist to determine any diagnosis'. Good luck. I so understand what you are going through. Please continue to reach out, as I love to hear what other treatments, and therapies are working for others. I take it one day at a time now, to keep my sanity.

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I am so sorry you are going through this, and I feel your pain. My daughter who is a senior now started with major depression, anxiety and no desire to live when she was a freshman. She was a straight A kid. Even with medication, counseling and psychiatrist there was no will to live. In her junior year I looked at her grades online and found all F's. I asked her about them and was told what's the use, I don't plan on living much longer.

During the same time her anxiety and depression started, she was having ( and still does) bad stomach problems. Pediatric GI doc found Candidiasis (yeast) in her gastrointestinal system. Doc told me that could lead to mental health issues and the yeast probably came from bad food choices. Very hard to get rid of. It was found with an upper scope and can also be found by sending off a urine sample or blood test. With a Candida friendly diet and proper medication, I believe she would have gotten better, but she is a very picky eater. Look it up online. There is a lot of stuff there regarding mental illness and yeast.

I do recommend a swab test. My daughter's psychiatrist did this and found her Zoloft she had taken for a year was doing no good. Finally after several medication trials and horrible weaning off depression medicine periods, we finally found an old medicine called Lithium. Lithium along with Buspar and Adderall has done the trick! She is back to her straight A's and a will to live. She still has lots of belly troubles, but hope she will grow out of it one day.

I've always wondered if more kids with mental illness have a yeast problem. I will never know, but it's worth looking into.

I do hope for the best for you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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