Migraine

quote:

Originally posted by MedievalWriter:
When my Younger Assistant Offspring was 14, she was diagnosed with major depression. That capped a year of screaming arguments, failing grades, summer school, and other things.

Our situation was different in that she readily agreed to both psychologist therapy and drug treatment. She took Lexapro for a year and saw the psychologist for a year. Come to find out a seemingly passing even (being in a hotel where a homeless man was beaten to death) triggered her genetic pre-disposition to depression.

She did have to reach a point where she was ready for therapy though. Once she was ready, she made rapid progress. She saw a family psychologist. He was ready to treat us all but determined that her event was triggered by this event external to our home situation; however, I benefited from talking with the psychologist during the couple of times I saw him myself.

She knows she'll have to be aware of things that may trigger depression in the future. If she has a traumatic event, she knows to contact her doctor to request Lexapro before she becomes depressed. She knows to contact the psychologist again if she gets off track. And I know to keep watch too.

And she's just been admitted to the university to study--psychology. I'm proud of my girl for how hard she's worked. She has decided to concentrate on family counseling.

I'm praying for you, Jean Ann. We went through incredibly tough times before we got through that tunnel.

quote:

Originally posted by julies517:
jean ann,

unfortunately again i feel your pain. my son is 14 and sometimes i feel his body has been invaded by an evil space alien. thankfully he doesn't have the migraine issue but he does have the lying about school/homework and only wants to play xbox 24-7 issue. he does see a therapist, she feels that lying at this age about school work is a way of teens expressing their independence and control over their lives. also the homework builds and gets more intense and the kids just become overwhelmed in general....and here your andrew has that and more to deal with because he's always playing catch up.
i think the homebound instruction will help immensely if at least the school pressures can be removed for now perhaps things can calm down a bit....all of this feeds and cycles together and doesn't improve the migraine situation. it is not unusual for teen boys to feel angry or depressed, but it is definitely not easy to watch them go through it either. unfortunately it is also an age that they really don't want to "discuss" their feelings.
my dakota had anxiety issues in the past and had been in therapy so he was a little more open to it but he only goes reluctantly now. we have to check his school binder everyday to make sure he's doing his homework and are in touch with his teachers by e-mail. he's in a private school so there is a little more personal attention when we need it but i hate that i have to be a policeman when it comes to the stuff he's just supposed to do.

we also set computer/xbox limits ... it's not an easy age that's for sure... i'll keep sending positive thoughts and vibes your way...hope things get better quickly!

julie

quote:

Originally posted by EileenHOST:
I remember this being a very difficult age, not only for me, but for my mother to deal with me!

I too had major depression issues that were brought to the surface at this age. Dealing with that and the transition from grade school to high school, very difficult for me.

I did not have a solid family. My mom raised me by herself. I saw my father on every other weekend. He was not a father though, so I had those issues to deal with. He was in a different state, so I would be away from my friends every other weekend.

Do you know if Andrew has made any "new friends" at school that may be of the not so good influence kind? I know peer pressure is horrible at that age.

Knowing you, I already know you are helping him with his homework, so I don't even need to ask that one!

I really don't have any advise to add that these women have not already given you. The early teens are hard years, or at least they were for me, so I can definatly sypothize with what Andrew is going through. And, of course now, later in life, realizing what I put my poor mother through, I really feel for her and thank her for not giving up on me. As I've said before, he may not realize it now, but trust me, one day he is going to thank you for busting his butt to do his homework and all that stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by jennyc:
Hi Jean Ann,

Before my kids were born, I worked in mental health with children of all ages. Teenagers are especially tough! But remember--depression can manifest as anger, rebellion, defiance, etc. Teenagers think they are grown, but most have difficulty with expressing their feelings of sadness...so it often comes out as angry, nasty words and behavior.

I know it's hard being a parent during these years! My kids are young, but my older one already has a tendency to be mouthy...Funny how your children know JUST what to say to get you REALLY upset! They discover what buttons to push in Mom and Dad so quickly!

I'm thinking of you and your family!
jenny