I really feel for you. Often our depressions are much harder on those that love us then on ourselves. I agree you need to find support for yourselves. I think there is a section in this forum for care givers. Also read a lot of posts in this depression section to get a better understanding of it. We have teenagers who post in here.

Depression is a very debilitating and serious disease. I am 50. When I am in a severe depression I can barely get out of bed. When it is at it's worst I am suicidal, I can sleep 16 hours a day and I don't care about anything. I don't shower for long periods. I don't want to see anyone. I will not leave the house. Even when things are somewhat better and I am up and about the house and eating better and not sleeping so much I still will not leave the house. I have a very loving and close family but I will not go to any family events. I have had it since 7th grade. Started getting treated for it when I was 32. I cycle in and out of them. They vary in length and severity. You could take my computer and phone and I wouldn't care. I don't care about living why would I care about that. With me I snap out of them like a switch went off.

What he needs is very good treatment. Not to be sent off to some boot camp. If the meds are not working try different meds. Some of us go through many meds and combinations of meds to find something that works. The sad truth is for some there are no meds that work. It is tough for a psychiatrist to put a teenager on meds. Find a psychiatrist who works with teens and will try new things until something works.

Then there is therapy. Someone who can work with him on social skills, dealing with that anger, cognitive behavior therapy, finding something he cares about he can latch onto.

The normal rules of parenting kind of go out the window. I managed with the help of drugs and alcohol to do good in high school and play sports and such. After that I hit a deep depression and didn't car at all about my college classes or grades. My parents tried all the normal tactics. Nothing worked. They had no idea how depressed I was or that I had become an alcoholic.

I am sorry for going on so long and being blunt but your post struck a chord in me. I very much wish I had been diagnosed in 7th grade when it all started. Maybe things would be much different for me. I don't know. It is a complex disease. We didn't really have a clue in the late 70's.

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