Hi everyone
My yr 11 daughter hasn't been herself for about three months. We thought it was a moody teenage phase but after Christmas she seemed to fall into depression, characterised by either anger and aggression or curled up on a sofa, bean bag etc weeping silently. We've had a great deal going on with chronic illness in the family but that started a number of years ago. She is an athlete who had to reduce her training considerably after an injury last year and that coincided with her beginning to go downhill, as did a boy being truly horrible to her after dating him for a few months. She has said a number of times that's "something happened" but won't tell me or her dad. She also said she just feels very depressed. Nevertheless she has managed to keep her schoolwork up and is a high achiever- putting much pressure on herself. We are so worried about her. She is on the waiting list for CHaMs and we are in the process of organising therapy through a charity. School are also looking out for her. I am sick with worry for her. Does anyone have any wise advice as to how we can best help her before the therapy starts? I find myself talking to a silent teenager most of the time. And just try to let her know I'm there for her and when she lets me, sit with her and cuddle her. Most of the time though she doesn't.