[lxegirl]

I have been depressed for over a year now, and it hasn't gone away. first my mom was okay with it, then she just went into denial saying she didn't want to deal with me anymore. She wanted me to stop taking meds, she wanted me to stop going to the therapist, she wanted me to do counseling with my church pastor. i've done all of that, and i still dont feel better. She knows that. My pastor knows that. What more can i do to make her understand me and just let me take the meds again? I'm 16, and she has no problem with me taking any other kind of medicine. antidepressants cant have more side effects than painkillers or antibiotics...

[online user]

Do try to have your pastor talk to her.

When I went through my first depression, I got through it by lots of exercise. I went swimming and worked out 3-4 times a week. Exercise creates endorphins, the "feel-good" hormones that antidepressants seek to create as well. Sometimes for younger people, exercise is more recommended than the antidepressants, as the risk of suicide is higher with antidepressants. That may be what your mom is afraid of and why she doesn't want you to take them.

And, I'm sorry to say, the risk of antidepressants is much higher than antibiotics or other common drugs.

Good luck to you!

[Leed]

Hi ~ Online user is correct. The risk of taking antidepressants in teenagers is huge! There are too many instances of kids taking their own lives while on antidepressants ~ and i'm sure your Mom knows that and doesn't want to expose you to that. She's just looking out for you because she LOVES you.

Exercise & working out ARE the best ways to increase your endorphins, which make you feel better. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but once you get going, it becomes more fun. Besides, if you go to the gym, you get to look at the guys great bodies! LOL Talk to your mom about getting a gym membership. I PROMISE you WILL feel better. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

[lxegirl]

we have a gym membership, i'm on tennis and track team...thats pretty much all the exercize i could possibly fit into my schedule.

[venusss]

Meds can help you with symptoms...

... but meanwhile YOU have to find innet peace. YOU have to become comfortable in your skin and emotions. YOU have to learn to deal with life, with yourself... YOU have to find your own path.

And, I'm sorry to say, the risk of antidepressants is much higher than antibiotics or other common drugs.

Oh, yes. while beneficial to some, they can be risky... and they do not solve the cause of your problems. Just like painkillers numb the feeling of pain, ADs do the same... maybe sometimes it's what you need to do to get through the moment.... but in long term, one has to focus on their soul.

Hello, lxegirl. I hope you get the help you seek. Let the professionals decide what is best for you.

You are in my thoughts. I wish you the well.

[online user]

That's great that you get so much exercise! That will really help you. And the others are right--you need to reach a peace with yourself in all of this. In time, I think, with whatever counseling you are getting, you WILL feel better. Take care!

[lxegirl]

well all the professionals told my mom to let me go back on meds...and now thats why i dont even have a therapist anymore. I have my church pastor. Because apparently church solves everything, according to my mother. i really do hate her.

[online user]

Share that information with your pastor, if he is going to do your counseling. That is, the professionals who recommended the meds for you, and the therapy. Maybe ask to see him 1-2x a week, and don't just let him talk about religion, but listen to your issues and do counseling as a therapist would. If he doesn't feel he's capable, then ask him to speak to your mother about letting you go back to a full-time therapist.

He might do fine, though, for you. Usually people go into that field when they sincerely care about others and want to do what's best for them. He probably had some coursework in couseling, maybe with some practical experience, in school, as well as what he's read and done since then.

You might give your pastor permission to speak with your therapist and your therapist permission to talk to him and see that he gets some direction and insight from the therapist you saw. That might help too.

Trying to help you make the best of a not-ideal situation. Sorry your mother is being unreasonable about this! Do take care, dear, and let us know how things are going.

PS. Did you know it's entirely normal to dislike your mother at your stage in life? I think, personally, that it's programmed into us humans so we will want to "leave the nest".