How do you help your daughter if she has depression?

Answer 1

Oh, I SO know what you are going through!!! My daughter was diagnosed with depression this year. She is 16, almost 17. As I look back, I wish I had done things differently regarding her initial treatment. It's been more than 8 months and now we are back to square 1.

First of all, have you taken her to a doctor? If so, did they put her on medication? If you haven't been that route yet, then that might be a good thing.

I agree with the above advice to try something natural to help her. Proper diet (not much sugar), lots of water, activity in the fresh air & sunshine, and making sure she has outlets during her down moods - - such as drawing, writing, or some other hobby. Do your homework on natural/herbal anti-depressants. I have also heard about the Omega-3 being helpful. I hope your daughter is more agreeable to taking vitamins than my daughter is!

If you think your daughter has serious depression, then skip the regular M.D. and find a qualified psychiatrist that is certified in working with adolescents. Take my advice, don't bounce between a counselor and a regular M.D. or nurse practioner! I did that and boy, do I regret it! I wasted virtually 6 months and a huge amount of money.

Keep the lines of communication open with your daughter and let her know how much she is loved and appreciated, and that life is not perfect, but you are always there for her. If she is on anti-depressants, please tell the doctor/psychiatrist if there are any changes in her mood that indicate possible thoughts of suicide (which may be from side effects of the medication).

As for me, I'm still doing my homework and trying to find a different route to take in regards to getting my daughter the help that she needs. I'm getting her off Paxil gradually. I just ordered the book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life by Dr. Daniel Amen, and found an ecouraging review of that book on Amazon.com by a man who said this book was very helpful. (His daughter was 16 at the time he read it. She's now 18 and doing great)

Answer 2

First I want to say how thankful I am that you are a concerned parent who was able to recognize that there was a problem and want to do something about it. Believe me it is rarer than it sounds. Second I was wondering if she was depressed or if she has depressive disorder. There is a big difference. Everyone gets depressed once in a while. Talk to her. Maybe she lost a boyfriend or is stressed out about school. If this is a long term depression or if she was diagnosed with a depressive disorder then professional help is always best. Things are always tricky when you talk about giving medications to minors. Their bodies are different than adult, the meds may not have the expected effects. If you do decide to try medications please monitor your daughter even closer than before. There are some pretty major side effects to antidepressents.

Answer 3

I am a 19 yr old daughter who has depression and has tried to commit suicide. From my perspective - I just wish my family would notice me more. You sound like you are willing to help and that is fantastic. Took my mum ages to see that something was wrong - and she never asks how my phyciatrist sessions go, or how my meds are making me feel. I feel that she doesn't care. I am not in contact with my dad, and my other immediate family member has schizophrenia, so I can't talk to him, cause he doesn't take his medication and I can never tell if its him I am talking to. I think by supporting your daughter will help her, maybe go with her to social events, something mother and daughtery, become her best friend, take time with her. I would love to have that bond with my mother. You probably already have sought help professionally for her, well i hope. You can't deal with this by yourself - no one expects you to either. Have you really sat down and talked to your daughter about her depression? Maybe its something at school? or with friends? maybe she just needs a break from everything. Depression isn't something that can be fixed overnight, but with time, understanding and support you will show her she has people that want to see her get help. Good luck xoxo

Answer 4

Careful. If she's in a minor depressive state, then forcing her to go to a doctor would only anger/embarass her. Obviously, if she is talking about suicide, completely withdrawn, and exhibits other symptoms of major depression, then the doctor is the way to go. However, really watch out for putting people on medicine for just about anything. Oftentimes, a change of atmosphere, regular exercising and a change of diet can significantly help depression.

Answer 5

I get like that normally. Does your daughter move see a therapist? This would possibly support her plenty, is she on meds? They can reduce to rubble the best way you act and many others till they have got settled into your procedure. Try to not exhibit your fear an excessive amount of, like asking if she is fine at all times, this may agitate humans fairly with no trouble. Stay calm and take a look at to speak to her each and every from time to time otherwise you would write her a letter if that could be simpler, probably she could write again if she does not believe like speakme? Hope this is helping.

Answer 6

Take her to see a doctor ASAP. Trust me, I have struggled with anxiety and depression alot of my life. This is something caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Medicine is usually required to correct it. Often people think depression is just a state of mind andd a person can make it go away. That is NOT the case. She needs to see a doctor and possible get counseling also. Good Luck to you and her.

Answer 7

Give her her your love and support.Make sure your daughter isgetting treatment from a doctor to help her recover from depression. As the principal said at a graduation you need to be there for your kids as they go through high school.

Answer 8

Definitely get her to see a doctor, but not like a shrink because they don't really help too much. if they put her on any type of meds be carefull because some of them can make it worse. Try getting her to keep a journal so that she can keep her thoughts and feelings in there. Sometimes that can help alot. If you know someone who has gone through the same thing try and get her to talk to them.
I know that when I was younger i went through a great deal of depression and anxiety and talking to someone who went through it helped me alot.

Answer 9

I WOULD TRY TO TALK WITH HER AND GET HER TO OPEN UP ABOUT WHAT IS BOTHERING HER. OR PERHAPS GET SOMEONE ELSE (ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND) THAT SHE TRUSTS TO SPEAK WITH HER. IF THAT DIDN'T HELP, I WOULD FIND HER A COUNSELOR TO TALK TO.

SOMETIMES KIDS JUST NEED TO VENT AND ARE UNABLE TO DO SO WITH PEOPLE THEY ARE CLOSE TO. THEY DON'T WANT TO HURT FEELINGS OR FEEL LIKE THE THINGS THAT THEY SAY WILL BE BROUGHT UP AND USED AGAINST THEM IN THE FUTURE. YOU'D BE SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH EASIER IT IS FOR A CHILD TO OPEN UP TO A NON-THREATENING TYPE PERSON, LIKE A COUNSELOR. THEY WON'T JUDGE THE CHILD AND THE CHILD CAN SCREAM, HOLLER, CRY, LAUGH, OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT SHE FEELS LIKE DOING AND THERE WON'T BE ANY RAMIFICATIONS OR HURT FEELINGS TO DEAL WITH LATER.

I WISH YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER THE BEST OF LUCK. DEPRESSION CAN BE A TERRIBLE THING -- GOD KNOWS I SUFFER FROM IT -- BUT IT CAN BE DEALT WITH IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. WHAT WORKS FOR ONE MAY NOT WORK FOR 100 OTHERS. AND IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR SOME OF YOU CLOSEST TO HER TO ALSO GO THROUGH SOME COUNSELING TO HELP HER DEAL WITH THIS.

Answer 10

I feel the worst thing to do is to medicated her. Your need to research your options. This is dosages for adults, if your daughter is younger, ages 12-17 reduce the dosage to three quarters of the recommend amount. 4 a child 6-12 use one quarter of the recommended amount. EFA's as directed on label -aids in the transmission of nerve impulses; needed 4 normal brain functions. 5-htp increases the body's production of serotonin(don't use it if she's on a antidepressant). L-tyrosine up to 50mg per/lbs. alleviates stress boosting production of adrenaline. don't take it if she's on a MAO inhibitor drug. Keep her on a diet of raw fruits & veges. soy products, whole grains, seeds, nuts, brown rice, millet, etc. A diet low in carbs can cause serotonin depletion & depression. Omit wheat from diet, wheat gluten has been linked to depressive disorders. Avoid diet sodas and other products containing artifical sweetners, it blocks the formation of serotonin and cause headaches, insominia, depression. Avoid foods in high saturated fats, consumption of meat or fried foods (burgers,fries) leads to sluggishness & slow thinking. Avoid all forms of sugar, including sweetners such as honey, molassess, & fruit juice. avoid processed food. reroute negative thoughts. Look up light therapy it helps! Good luck!!