how to get DS to recognise he's suffering from depression and needs help.

[MuchBrighterNow]

My Teen Ds 17 is showing signs of severe depression. Things are escalating rapidly. I have arranged an appointment next week for him with the youth psychiatric services which he has reluctantly agreed to go to.

He is a danger to himself and others at times.

How did those of you whose dc are diagnosed with depression get their dc to recognise that they needed help.

[pillpoppermum]

my son has had anxiety issues (ocd at 13) and after smoking weed got panic attacks and depersonalisation disorder at 16. I took him to our GP at Xmas after my son was having panic attacks- the GP prescribed propanadol and sertraline- the propanadol really calmed my son down immediately. Dont know if that helps. I guess depression is different to anxiety. Meds have helped my son and CBT of course, but he hasnt always been willing to engage in this. Hope your son gets the help he needs with his depression...i say to myself one day at a time, which seems to help

[MuchBrighterNow]

Thanks pillpopper. I'm sorry to hear about your ds but glad that he's engaging in the treatment and that its helping.

I'm sure smoking weed and other drugs have not helped my ds one little bit but he had signs of depression before he started self medicating.

I just wish he could realise that it doesn't mean he's "mental" (his words) and that lots of teens suffer and can be helped to feel better.

His sleep patterns have gone haywire. He says he is going to have to leave school even though he has only one year of his bacalauriate left to do.

He's extremely angry and agitated, anxious, violent and despairing. Living with him like this is the hardest thing. He must be having such a terrible time too but he just won't accept that there are ways to make things better....

[pillpoppermum]

Hi there Muchbrighternow. Smoking weed is so dangerous for teens who have a history of mental health problems, as my son has learnt. I'm sorry to hear things are so difficult with your son atm. With my son i sometimes feel like i'm walking on egg shells. The times when I communicate well with him are when we're in the car and when we're texting. Our GP was really understanding as a starting point. I bought my son some weights to use when he was feeling low- they worked for a while. Writing your feelings down seems to help too- my son wrote a rap about weed killing his brain and 'westing out'- obv he didnt tell me about it, i just hear him singing this rap. Everyone tells me to have faith that things will get better and tbh things are better than last year - its just i'm tired of all the stress. Hope you've got someone you can offload to

[MuchBrighterNow]

Hi mindfulmum, thanks for sharing your experiences with your DD, I'm glad things have improved for you and your DD.

It's helpful to hear your opinion on the adolescent unit. I had a choice over childrens unit up to 18 or adults unit. ( we are not in the uk so no cahms) I chose the childrens as I would prefer to be involved in any care plan. He was offered the adult unit but as he is not willing to take any responsibilty for himself at the moment so I can't see that working.

I agree I would prefer therapy over medication though he may well need both at times I wish I could just stick him with a tranquilizer dart