Does anyone have any experience with teenage angst and depression? My 17 year old son is showing signs of depression. He is ADD and currently has not been on Adderall for about a month. He has highs and lows and lately we have seen more lows. When I called him at work today he sounded really depressed. What has my husband and I concerned is that his father was schizophrenic and my mother and her mother both suffered from severe depression.
Some of it I know is due to hormonal changes but with the family history of mental instability, my mommy radar is tuned into that something is wrong. He can fly off the handle for the slightest thing and will cry at the drop of a hat. One day when he was crying he said, I am afraid I am going crazy like grandpa did. He has seen his grandpa when he was at his worst so this concerns us too.
It is a catch 22 as he is depressed about not getting stellar grades this last semester because he couldnt’ buckle down. He has started his first job and he is learning to be more responsible. He seems to enjoy his job and the money he makes. I wonder if he went back on the Aderrall if he would be on a more even keel but right now we are walking on egg shells around him.
Does anyone have any suggestions? :?
Re: Does anyone have experience with adolescent depression?
I agree with Rover,what will it hurt? I am a firm believer in counseling.Teen years and adulthood is hard enough,without some kind of back up. Given his history and his concern I would find someone for him to talk to. But some of the symptoms you describe can possibly be from his medication dosage,I would discuss this also with the physician.
Re: Does anyone have experience with adolescent depression?
As others have noted, the behaviors you describe are very consistent with adolescent depression, especially with the family history. Don’t wait to see if it goes away. Most episodes of depression last a couple of months and then resolve, but each episode increases the risk that there will be another. Get him some help immediately. Children and adolescents who develop depression face an increased risk of it becoming a life-long, recurrent problem. That risk is higher than it is for those who develop depression as adults. It is thought that early treatment of children may reduce the likelihood that the depression will recur. Make sure you see a psychiatrist rather than your family doctor. Medication plus talk or cognitive therapy is the gold standard for treating these kids and your family doctor may not know that.
Andrea
Definitely speak with the Dr. who prescribed the adderall, and get a referral to a psychiatrist if he isn’t one. Being irritable rather than “sad” is common with depression in young people. I would ask him what it is like to “feel like he is going crazy” like his grandpa. An older teen I know had a major depressive episode and used those exact words. He was unable to sleep and felt as if it was impossible to make any decision, even as simple as what to eat (he knew he should eat, although he had no appetite). He was worried about suicide although he didn’t have a plan to hurt himself, he just didn’t trust what he might do. He felt like he had to think about everything before he did it. Be safe, have your son talk to a professional. You can always blame yourself as the overprotective mother.