Posted by azalea on October 6, 2008, at 20:06:40
In reply to Depressed 16-yr-old. Help?, posted by Nella on October 6, 2008, at 3:40:52
With onset of depression at a young age, bipolar II is something to consider. For this reason in combination with family history of SSRI sensitivity, I would NOT recommend an SSRI.
You can read more about bipolar II at www.psycheducation.org.
You may find this screening tool useful:
http://www.psycheducation.org/PCP/launch/downloadMoodCheck.htmYour daughter is lucky to have your support.
> My daughter was the happiest kid on earth until puberty. Since then, the road's been bumpier, but that's supposedly normal. From time to time, I've been concerned about episodes of gloom, but it's always turned out to be PMS (albeit PMS on the lengthy side).
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> She's a serious athlete and stellar student with no prior social or behavioral problems. About six weeks ago, on the first day of her junior year she did not make an extremely competitive Varsity team, and that clearly seems to have triggered the black dog of depression. Since then, she's been an entirely different kid and I am very concerned.
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> Okay, I'm aware no advice given here is a substitute for a good shrink. On the other hand, so many posters know so much about drugs (and I am so lost) that I'd love some opinions/ideas.
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> Kid started seeing a psychologist. Drugs have been mentioned. I don't know how long to wait, and I can't seem to parse the conflicting info on teens and ADs.
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> My guess is a p-doc would start her on an SSRI. And maybe the only approach is trial and error. I haven't had much luck with SSRIs. I manage my own depression (which started young and at times has been severe) with micro-doses of Prozac as needed. I can't take it for months at a time: makes me too lethargic. And I definitely can't tolerate the "standard" dose. Makes me anxious and aggressive. So yeah, based on my experience I have reservations about SSRIs.
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> Kid has always had trouble falling asleep, but no matter what she got up early and went to school enthusiastically. Now that she is indisputably depressed, she simply cannot sleep at night and cannot get up in the morning. I have to wonder if fixing the sleep problem would take care of many issues. The psychologist feels anxiety is a key problem...
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> So my questions:
> 1) Anyone know the latest and greatest thinking on teens and SSRIs?
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> 2) Any response to my sleep theory? I've read conflicting reports on melatonin for teens. I imagine there are reasons to avoid Ambien, but maybe not. If it were up to me, she'd take xanax (a true life-saver for me), but I well know many docs won't even consider benzos.
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> 3) What about the hormone approach? Another theory (or denial strategy) is that the combo of a real life disappointment and raging hormones could be at the root of this. Maybe birth control pills would attenuate the emotional roller coaster.
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> 4) Any other suggestions?
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> Gotta say, this is HELL. Poorly timed hell, as well, in terms of a great student's college potential. Six weeks ago I had a well-adjusted kid who was looking forward to "the best year yet." I now have a heart-breakingly miserable child who's missing at least one of day of school a week, struggling academically for the first time, and feeling extremely unsupported by her friends (which may or may not be true). Some days she's stone-faced, some times she cries all day. It happened so fast... and she's sunk SO frighteningly low. Any and all advice deeply appreciated.
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poster:azalea
thread:855985
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081006/msgs/856102.html