Teenage daughter

[helpplease01]

Any device appreciated.

My 17 daughter is a shadow of her former self. It started to change 18 months ago, seemed to coincide with the start of her period.

She Feels very bleak, sad, hopeless depressed and struggles. She has ADD , diagnosed last year, and feels no hope for happiness in the future. Struggles with anxiety, is on Sertraline. (Zoloft)

She in 6th year (last year of school in Scotland. Struggling to cope with school. Started with 4 subjects now down to 2. She can't seem to keep up with the learning.I have given her the option to leave school altogether, stay home till she feels better but that causes anxiety as well. Having no interaction with the few friends she has worries me too.

She was so relieved when lock down came. The exam pressure was lifted.

I have emailed a SAMH charity, it can take 5/10 days for a response.

Is there any one out there who has been through this before. How did you cope? What did you do? I'm really worried.

Many thanks

Hi OP,

Didn't want to read and run, although I'm sure someone will come along with better advice soon.

Your daughter's experience really resonated with my own as a young person. I suffered from depression and anxiety - meds didn't really touch the sides. For me, it took a complete change of circumstances (moving to another college and a fresh start) to get me feeling more 'human'. Even then, it was a long slog - I honestly feel for teenagers, there's so much unspoken pressure on them socially and school-wise.

Is she happy at the school she's attending? Does she have a close group of friends? Does school have a Place2B type counselling service as an interim measure?

On a side note, if you've noticed a link with her periods, it might be worth going to the doctor - she might be suffering from PMDD (this was only explained to me by my doctor a few years ago after suffering from severe period-induced depression for almost 20 years).

You sound like you are doing a fab job and clearly have your daughter's best interests at heart - she is very lucky to have you.

Good luck to you both.

Hi OP,
Please feel free to join us on the Parents of anxious kids/teens support thread (also in this section). You'll find that you are not alone.