Posted by lostsailor on April 26, 2003, at 12:30:57
In reply to Need advice re; teenage daughter/She's SO SAD!, posted by CJ Nightowl on April 26, 2003, at 0:13:34
??????I don't really know what to say. I worked with teens for a while and still remember being one pretty well.
You are sad and so is she. Do you share any common interests--this one might be a bit on you--like geology (hiking), animals (dog walks), anything...? Do you smoke or have any health troubles that would make exercise a good thing for YOU? If so you can try to engage her for YOU without ever mentioning her increase in weight.
Exercise is probably the only thing that really does much for me helps my anxiety/depression--aside from meds. I mean, for me, a hour of running or a few out cycling is the BEST part of day -- meditation on the move for me.
Aside from that, meds:
Lamictal which in the MH world is being used for those with bi-polar disorder( esp. those that lean towards dep rather than mania), is also showing promise for depression. There is a minor risk of a dangerous rash, but it is virtually nil if the med's dosage is raised in minute increments. Of all the mood stabilizers that prove effective, it is the only that does not cause a weight increase for most.
Wellbuterin is a great choice if she does not have probs with anxiety or panic which the ssris help but wellbuterin does not. There is a sig. risk of seizures for those with a history of them. For those without, the risk is again almost nil given the dosage is raised gradually.
Xanax...dependable, very safe, anti-anxiety agent that has demonstrated the ability to alleviate some depression. I doubt that a doc would use this though unless there is mixed anxiety/panic and even then would most likely use it in conjunction with wellbuterin to keep doses low and because it has anti-seizure properties. I assume you are already aware of the risk of dependence, though.
Good luck and God bell you two,
~tony
poster:lostsailor
thread:222494
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030426/msgs/222581.html