15 year old and depression.

[feathermucker]

He had a bout of it over the summer hols. Wasn't going out, not much interest, not meeting friends etc. He seemed to pull himself out of it and went back to normal, so to speak. He went for walks, exercise etc.

He's just admitted that he's started having low mood again. He's gone out for a walk now.

Any advice would be very welcome. The school has a good pastoral support team but I might have to do that behind his back as he refused counselling last time but his mood went back up shortly after.

I was wondering if anyone's kids had tried natural supplements etc or anything else that helped.

I did a bit of research and found that proper anti depressants rarely work on teens and my DD had a bit of it so I wanted to do all I could.

I looked into the gut brain connection. If that sounds a bit hokey pokey, do a bit of research...all the top scientists are taking it very seriously.

www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/the-gut-brain-connection
www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-brain-gut-connection
www.bbc.com/news/health-18779997

Research is ongoing but it seems that what we eat can have huge effects on our mind.

I stopped DD from all processed foods...obviously she slipped now and then and after a while, we really saw the connection between her diet and her mood.

How's your DS's diet?

He can phone or text teens in crisis for support. He can also get counselling from them

Our GP said the following

Breakfast daily

Going to school will help despite it feeling hard initially. Will get easier.

Lunch daily

Tea and time with family. Avoid elongated times in bedroom

Shower, hot water bottle, dark room, ear plugs

No screens an hour before bed

down load headspace app to use when anxious

Contact teens in crisis

Another appointment with GP in 6 Weeks to check in

Also exercise, walking together

Thank you, all really helpful.

@feathermucker my son has just seen the doctor about his mental health and low mood, they have carried out some blood tests which have revealed he is vitamin d deficient, currently waiting to see the doctor to understand their approach to getting his levels back up. One of the side effects is low mood, low vitamin d is apparently common in teens so might be worth seeing if you can get a test done as I'm hoping it's east to get the levels back up with higher dosing (under gp guidance)

Exercise. Cliche because it’s true. Try walking outdoors is ideal because time in nature is another big healer. Yoga. Swimming.

Less screen time. Eating well and healthily. Anything that gets you out of your head and requires focus so meditation, reading, drawing, driving even.

I'm giving my 15 year old vitamin d×2, Cod liver oil and a general vitamin pill every day. Plus half an hour with a Sad light. Seasonal affective disorder can cause depression this time of year so a special treatment lamp often helps.

DS has been pretty depressed for a few months and has only just returned to school. He's also on an antidepressant and takes Melatonin at night to help him sleep.

All the above recommendations are brilliant and really help. Often though teenagers don't listen to advice and hibernate in their rooms and that can make things much worse. Also when you're depressed you tend towards eating comfort food. Not ones chock full of nutrients. Diet really does have an effect on the brain. Fish oils & flax seed oil supplements can also help

Finally don't discount antidepressants if they're needed. My gp advised us that counselling was the best route and not antid's. The counselling didn't work over a longish period and ds became more & more depressed. His psychiatrist immediately told us to forget the counselling and put him on medication.
That's the only thing that has pulled him through all this.

Thanks everyone