Mum with teenager struggling with depression

[monajones]

Hi all,

I am a mum struggling with communicating with my teenager who is currently struggling with depression. She has a therapist but I was wondering if anyone also has a teenager with this condition and if they felt they were engaging in therapy and what kind of techniques worked best for their teen? Thank you!

I'm not sure my teen has depression but we haven't worked out what it is yet. But generally every day I count the small wins. Seeing a therapist is a big win. Small wins are asking for something nice (books, clothes), a ticket to something planned in the future, a small joke or answer to small talk, sharing a single sentence about something they read or watched.
How long has it been like this? What age? Is she at school college?

Also, re engaging with therapy, whilst all info shared is, and should be, private, you should be having meet ups with the therapist say twice a year to check in. More often/sooner if this is more recent and you want the know if it's compatible.

Oh also I keep communicating small things, without expecting them to be returned. They often turn out to be heard/useful/openings/a kindness. But never with an expectation of conversation as I would OBVIOUSLY say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

My teen DD has anxiety and depression
antidepressants have made the world of difference
therapy alone did not - she couldn’t think flexibly enough to make use of therapy until the medication lifted her mood enough

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