Any parents of teens with depression and other issues?

Hi- I am the parent of two teen girls, ages 14 and 16.
My 14 year old is having major depression issues and perhaps other issues as well. She has been in 3 behavioral hospitals this year, iop programs and has had a year of trying meds,. She is a smart and good kid but she cannot shake this horrible depression. She is also adopted. My other daughter also suffers from depression. I would love to share experiences with other parents.

Hello Heather: I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to Psych Central. There's a forum, here on PC, dedicated to the subject of healthy parenting. Here's a link:

https://forums.psychcentral.com/healthy-parenting/

And then here are links to 5 articles, from Psych Central's archives, on the subject of depression in teenagers:

Teenage Depression

Kids and Depression: Parents' Call To Action, Part 1

Kids and Depression: Parents' Call To Action, Part 2

Kids and Depression: Parents' Call To Action, Part 3

https://psychcentral.com/lib/4-facts...ents-can-help/

I hope you find PC to be of benefit.

Hi Heather,

I am not a parent, but I suffer from depression and was diagnosed at 14, so I can understand what your daughter is going through. Medication has helped me a lot. I am now an adult and can live on my own and hold down a job with the help of medication.

If you ever want to chat, send me a message.

Hello Heather. I am not a parent but I used to be a teen with intense depression. I lived with it since about age 4/5 but wasn't diagnosed until adolescence. I understand it much better now (I'm in my late 30s) and I'm a successful professional. Though it's not something I "cured" if that makes sense. It still flares up at times in response to life events. Feel free to message me if you like. I wish you and your daughters peace and a bright future!

I'm so sorry you and your daughters are struggling, Heather1201 I'm not a parent either. Please don't give up. You're already doing what's necessary for them. Taking them to doctors, making them take meds, ecc. From what you wrote, it sounds like you're handling all of this pretty well. Keep doing what you'r doing, be there fro them if they need support and most importantly, remember to take care of yourself as well! You can't fully help others if you're not feeling too well yourself, after all. I'm so sorry, I know it's hard. You seem like a caring and loving mother, so I'm sure you'll be able to help your daughters. I'm sure they're grateful for what you're doing and that they love you very much - even though they may not show it right now because of depression. Remember that we're here for you if you need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this

Hi Heather. I have three kids. My youngest is 15 and was inpatient at age 11 and is stable now. My middle child is 18 and last year she ran away and got involved with drugs and alcohol and went to rehab and is now living in a sober home. She also has an extensive mental health issues and has been inpatient 4 times. My son is now 22 and amazing. We are just getting over the fact that he had a stroke- yes you read that right- but his recovery has been remarkable.

Hell Heather. I extend a warm welcome.

THis must be pulling at your heart strings; standing by watching this happen and feeling totally unable to help.

I have 32 year old daughter now diagnosed with Depression; but, I am sure this went back to childhood. It was a real struggle for me as I felt I was doing everything wrong as a parent. It never occured to me at the time that there was a reason for her mood and that it indeed was a problem I ought to have gotten her help for. I just thought she was being a moody difficult teenager. Oh how I feel rotten now.

What would I have done differently? I would have acted on my fears. I was by the way in my own debilitating Depression for which my then husband found reason to tease and abuse me about. The last thing I could have done was get my own help so I expect this was a big reason why I didn't get it for her.

You apparently are already in the system however and I applaud you for that. You are a good parent. You are doing what you can.

I do have a few suggestions. Maybe you have done these things already. If there is a Guidance Program at school, take advantage of it. Make it part of your daughter's treament program. Also, look for support groups - not just for depression or mood disorders but possibly for adoptees.

I’m not a parent but I’m a teen with depression and honestly I just want a little more space. Personally it just makes it worse when my parents try to interfere or talk to me about it

As a parent of 2 teen sons and 1 tween son, I can appreciate the need for space from the froo froo feelings discussions. I would say that as a teen, I myself battled what I would consider anxiety/depression by today's standards but that was then, this is now.
My best advice is to find ways of keeping your teens engaged about the things that interest them. Who are their favorite youtubers? What's going on in the world of hulu/netflix for shows? Do they like stand up comics? What's going on in their group snap chats? Instagram follows?
Keep them focused on their joys.
Oh...also...try to utilize effective communication techniques the best you can. In ways that express...less talking to me like that and more like this. Not easy but possible.
Also...disclaimer...I've had anxieties in full form. Teen boys tend to unleash anger as a main symptom of depression. There's been a hidden adhd dx with loads of defiant bordering odd going on over the years. There's been crisis counselors, therapists-in office and in home, school refusal destroyed furniture and other household items. Broken glass...you name it.
I'd also highly recommend building a good support system.

Yes ! Me. Thank God I found this forum. My 14 yo son has just been dx with anxiety and depression. I feel so alone. And so scared for him. I hope I can connect with other parents of depressed teens. I need support.

Hello, I have a 14 yo son who was JUST dx with depression. My heart is broken and I don't know what to do. He is my world. Hopefully we can help each other. My son just started therapy and his therapist said he needs meds.