Parent of depressed anxious teen

[lad579]

Anyone else the parent of a college age teen who is dealing with years of anxiety and more recently, depression? Sometimes I just need to vent or cry or talk to someone.

[hiimadi]

I'm not a parent but have been diagnosed with anxiety and am now getting treated for it. Anxiety is real illness and not just a quick emotion that a person can "snap out of." People with anxiety disorder brains' are different- the part that releases dopamine, a chemical that is released that helps people cope, is actually smaller than people without anxiety disorder. Fortunately, there is modern medicine that can treat the right part of the brain so it functions correctly, and gets rid of the anxiety so the person can function like everyone else! I've been there and can give you my guarantee!

[Ayinaj]

I’m not a parent but I’m a child that’s suffering from depression and my parents don’t even notice it

[lad579 in reply to Ayinaj]

I am so very sad to hear this. Do you have good reasons for why you wouldn’t talk to them about how you feel? If so, is there another adult in your life (teacher, school counselor, etc) that you could talk to who maybe could talk to your parents? If you are a minor, you probably would need one or both parents to facilitate treatment, but if you are depressed, you really should get treatment to start to help you feel better. I wish you all the best. I hope that your parents will soon be able to be supportive of you and that you begin the journey of recovery🙏🏻❤️

[CLTMom in reply to Ayinaj]

I'm sad to hear this, as well. My 15 year old FINALLY told us what he's been going through - I had no idea that it was as bad as it was and am so happy he shared it with me so that I can get him some help.

[Pearl67]

I am a parent of a son who suffered anxiety as a child. We did not really recognize it, just thought he was shy. By fourth grade he had pretty severe sleeping issues, but he was so smart, he just could not “shut his brain off,” or that is what we thought. He was a straight A student, great athlete, talented musician, but shy and overly sensitive for no “real” reason-ahhhh anxiety😏

He started using pot to chill out. It led to worse choices. He is not clean/sober, thank God, but refuses to get help for his anxiety and subsequent depressions because of his fear of prescription drugs🤦🏻‍♀️ I get it, I do, but uh, you willingly put random street things in with not as much as a thought.

He attempted college-a beautiful scholarship-but the drug use and anxiety were too much. I have been petrified and so sad for him for about 20 years, so I feel for you!

IF you can get your child to get help, any kind, please do! The sooner the better, as the counselors have told us anxiety/depression can get more complicated over time. Please get help for yourself as well. The stress and pain can cause your health to crash and burn as well, and you need your strength to continue to be a support when your child decides to reach out for help.

[mysmugcat]

Could you please say what country you live in-for help.

[Pearl67]

Me? Or original poster? (lad579?)