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DS with depression - dealing with school

4 replies

plantlady · 30/01/2016 16:47

Hello, Has anyone any experience of dealing with school once depression has been diagnosed in older teenagers? DS2 is in lower 6th and has just been diagnosed with depression and is now on medication. He's with Camsh and to start with he has talking therapy until it became apparent that not only was it not working, his depression was quite bad. School have been kept informed as much as possible. However, because of his illness, while he has been in school he's there in body but not in mind so hasn't actually learnt very much so no is starting to struggle. So far the intention is for him to sit AS exams in June. The school is very academic and I'm concerned that despite all he will be made to leave at the end of the year, leaving the friends he has got. As he is also Aspergers and has anxiety as well, this could have a very negative effect on someone who has a very poor view of himself and doesn't really want to be in this world at the moment (hopefully the medication will do its stuff and that side of things will improve).

Any advice on dealing with school, what I should tell them etc would be appreciated. DS is finding it hard to concentrate and so any work that requires much thinking or working out - he's bright and capable but very deffinately not working anywhere hear what he can do, It's quite stressful at the moment so some words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks

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Peebles1 · 30/01/2016 18:22

I think I'd ask for a meeting and tell them your concerns. I held back from getting involved with 6th form, trying to let DD deal with it herself as older now etc. , but ended up having to tell them almost everything. They need to know what's going on and I've found them really helpful. For her GCSEs we got a doctor's letter to say how her learning had been adversely affected by the anxiety, which the school advised as they may get an extra percent or two as a result from the exam board. Good luck with it all. Hope things improve for your son.

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Peebles1 · 30/01/2016 18:22

I think I'd ask for a meeting and tell them your concerns. I held back from getting involved with 6th form, trying to let DD deal with it herself as older now etc. , but ended up having to tell them almost everything. They need to know what's going on and I've found them really helpful. For her GCSEs we got a doctor's letter to say how her learning had been adversely affected by the anxiety, which the school advised as they may get an extra percent or two as a result from the exam board. Good luck with it all. Hope things improve for your son.

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Peebles1 · 30/01/2016 18:22

Dunno why that posted twice - sorry!

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Clare1971 · 30/01/2016 23:00

I agree, the school need to know as much as possible. The last thing you want is for them to put pressure on him if they think he's not working hard enough. As a sixth form, and particularly an academic one, they are guaranteed to have plenty of experience of teens with depression. Unfortunately it is all too common these days.

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