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Original poster

Can anything help my seriously depressed autistic teen?

33 replies

CoolShoeshine · 03/12/2025 16:46

I'm desperate to help him. He's become more and more depressed throughout his teen years. Hes been in a constant cycle of wellbeing support from NHS, college and private health care. He likes to talk about the causes of his depression but nothing takes the feelings away. He was prescribed Mirtazapine earlier this year but it had no positive effect, and as his dose increased he got worse so had to be taken off them. Hes generally struggling with life, becoming more independent, not being like other teens, not fitting in or having friends. His mood is so low he barely talks about anything other than how bad he feels. We spend hours talking things through with him and it is so upsetting. Even when good things happen in his life he cannot enjoy anything any more. I dont see how he can continue like this, he will never be able to live a normal life or get a job if he cannot clear the depression in his head.
I would love to hear advice from anyone who has had similar family circumstances where something has created a positive change for their loved one.

OP posts:
EnjoyingTheArmoire · 05/12/2025 22:06

My teen has responded very well to sertraline after finding cbt to be incredibly unhelpful.

What really helped the most was finding a group of friends who are all neurodiverse. It's the first time that they felt that they "fit in" with their peers, and although they're now at different Unis actoss the country they still game together and catch up on a daily basis.

I think that time also helps generally, as well as finding their special interests and engaging in them regularly.

It's a difficult situation to be in, and I really do wish you the best of luck.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 05/12/2025 22:09

dottieautie · 05/12/2025 21:46

It does take us longer to work our way out of depression. We ruminate about everything and when something doesn’t make sense we go in circles trying to find a way to make it make sense. This is why we often talk over and over about the same traumas, triggers, feelings etc.

when I was younger the only thing that helped me get rid of the depression (and it was really bad with harming and suicidal ideations) was to change my life completely and live it the way I wanted not necessarily how society wanted me to. I was 7years out of my teens then so it’s not as easy to do when still living at home… but I do believe drastic changes can help (alongside all the conventional treatments). What I will say is autistic people can respond more sensitively to things like anti depressants and normal clinical doses can be too much for some people. There have been studies on subclinical
dosing but it’s still quite a new field. I was left unable to feel anything and ADs and even now I’d rather feel sadness than nothing. That prolonged my misery.

It’s complex and I totally sympathise with you both.

We’ve found different. That they seem to need higher than than normal doses.

Aliceisagooddog · 05/12/2025 22:57

EnjoyingTheArmoire · 05/12/2025 22:06

My teen has responded very well to sertraline after finding cbt to be incredibly unhelpful.

What really helped the most was finding a group of friends who are all neurodiverse. It's the first time that they felt that they "fit in" with their peers, and although they're now at different Unis actoss the country they still game together and catch up on a daily basis.

I think that time also helps generally, as well as finding their special interests and engaging in them regularly.

It's a difficult situation to be in, and I really do wish you the best of luck.

Interesting. How did they find this group of friends?

Pennina · 07/12/2025 08:22

my DD’s friends mostly neuro diverse too. All go back to a school days. There’s a core of 5 or 6 of them. She has other friends that she doesn’t see as much too, they are NT and are friends from 6th form - as everyone got older (and had more insight/maturity) a few lovely NT but ND friendly girls and lads also became friends with DD too.

Original poster
CoolShoeshine · 07/01/2026 08:30

I wanted to update this post as it may help someone in future.
He started transitioning to Sertraline not long after I posted and it had a very quick effect. The medication has cleared his head a lot, he now thinks more logically and practically than before. He still talks about his troubles but way less, and he is quite matter of fact about them and open minded to trying solutions. He has been so pleasant to be around over Christmas, chatting more than hes done since he was a small boy. It's not perfect and its early days but we are very grateful and hope it continues.
Thanks for your support everyone 🙏

OP posts:
Desmondhasabarrow · 07/01/2026 16:35

That’s a lovely update, great to hear he’s doing well.

Egglio · 07/01/2026 16:40

CoolShoeshine · 07/01/2026 08:30

I wanted to update this post as it may help someone in future.
He started transitioning to Sertraline not long after I posted and it had a very quick effect. The medication has cleared his head a lot, he now thinks more logically and practically than before. He still talks about his troubles but way less, and he is quite matter of fact about them and open minded to trying solutions. He has been so pleasant to be around over Christmas, chatting more than hes done since he was a small boy. It's not perfect and its early days but we are very grateful and hope it continues.
Thanks for your support everyone 🙏

That is a wonderful update, having been through the same, I know what a relief it is. Good luck with everything for you both!

Mediumred · 07/01/2026 22:45

So pleased to hear things looking up for you and your boy!

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