Posted by desolationrower on October 6, 2008, at 13:37:25
In reply to Depressed 16-yr-old. Help?, posted by Nella on October 6, 2008, at 3:40:52
sorry, must be tough if you can't help. I think you are right though, a drug to help improve sleep would be a good thing to start on. Trazodone is an antidepressant that can help with sleep at lower doses. Mirtazapine too, however it can cause weight gain, which might be very distressing for a teen girl even if she is a healthy weight. The 'z-drugs' could also be a good choice especially since the insomnia isn't a chronic problem. I think starting an ssri would be something to put off for a while yet. Making sure she has good food to eat and is getting nutrition and being active and getting out to do things she enjoys might be things you could make sure are available for her (it can be hard to get organized for and signed up for personal things when struggling with school obligations and low energy). I don't know enough to speak to the hormones.
One thing i'll mention that i've seen in my own family is that when my sister was depressed, my mother felt like it was a personal failure, which made my sister feel guilty. Being concerned and there for her is important but let her have her emotions and let her know she isn't letting you down.
-d/r
poster:desolationrower
thread:855985
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081006/msgs/856032.html