My 17-year-old son is in the hospital for depression......

[Jadapit]

I'm so sorry your son is having such a diffuclt time. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayres. (((HUGS)))

[Zippy]

You and your son are in my prayers.

[Soapets]

Thanks so much for all your words of comfort, and prayers.

Yes, Mugsy, there is a chance that he is bipolar. He also has ADHD, and has been on Adderall XR for that for awhile. He is on Depakote for possible bipolar mood swings---has been on that for a few years now. He had told his doctor in November that he was feeling more depressed, and his Depakote dose had been increased then. He has been on antidepressants before, with good effect, but that was stopped once he had been on the Depakote for awhile.

He was on the honor roll in school the first quarter. After Thanksgiving he just stopped doing his school work, and his grades slipped, and he was extremely depressed, and nothing would motivate him. Things just kept getting worse. He hasn't been on any illegal drugs, because they test him for that routinely since he's on probation.

I have been on antidepressants for years, so was able to recognize the symptoms and the seriousness of his words and expression and mood, etc. We know he is safe where he is, and he is being evaluated, and his medications are being monitored closely, and the people who are monitoring him are aware of all of the symptoms of various other disorders that he may have. They called me today and want to try the medication Seroquel, because he's been having problems getting to sleep at night. I told them he has ALWAYS had a problem getting to sleep at night, and that I am willing to let them try the Seroquel and monitor it's effects, etc.

He still won't talk to me, and he's been there since Thursday night. But I told him before we took him there that it's OK if he gets angry with us for it. At least we know he's safe and being monitored. He did admit in a group session that he takes his anger out on me by trying to hurt me emotionally by not talking to me.

My husband went to visit him yesterday, and he did talk to him a little bit. He wouldn't look him in the eye, though. My husband asked him how he was feeling re. the suicidal thoughts, and my son said that had been worse again yesterday after learning that he won't be allowed to come home any time soon.

My husband and I have a lot of mixed thoughts and feelings associated with all of this. We have had to use "tough love" a lot with our son, because of the trouble he's been in. We keep telling him we love him and we will help him through it, but we won't bail him out of it. He'll have to do a lot of work on his own, but we'll be supportive of his efforts, all the way.

I guess that's about all for now. Thanks again for your prayers, and please keep them coming, especially for my son, Alex. He needs them more than ever right now.............

[Argranade]

Hope he'll do well,

Yeah I say I'll kill my self to my parents & I wish I was dead but of course I never realy mean it, life can be so darn stupid sometimes .. it's ok to get mad as long as you don't realy think about suicide for real, maybe get him involved with something he like's ... like photography make's me feel so good inside, I just love seeing all the photo's I take of life after I load em up on the Pc.

There's way too much presure in High school, that's another reason why I left the stupid place, are kids doing drugs there? sometimes even tho your not doing drugs & stupid things, seeing others do it can me hard .. you want to be bad sometimes but you know in your heart you have to be good & sometimes you'll just hate it .. but in the end .. you'll be thankfull.

Hope your son finds some peace in his life ( In a different kinda way).

Oh ya, I'll say a prayer for him.

[wolfsoul]

Deb, I'm sorry to hear this. I also suffer from depression, though the doctors do not know what to diagnose me as since I have so many different problems (borderline personality is most likely in my case). I have been through almost everything (meds, hospitals, counselling, psychotic episodes, being suicidal, etc), and learnt to understand it and accept it, so if you need to talk to anyone or need to understand anything better, I will always be there for you.

A product that I recently started is called Truehope EMPower Plus . It's alternative, but the research results are quite amazing as well as the success stories. I am on the message board on their website and alot of people have vastly improved since starting it. The website also has your own information, charts, etc.

I was on Effexor XR for 10 months and I do not recommend it. Effexor withdrawal acts quickly and is horrible to experience. Coming off my meds was excruciating -- I stopped taking Effexor in September and I still have the "brain shivers" associated with Effexor withdrawal -- I will have them for life.

Good luck with everything, I'm here if you need to talk! My worst year was last year, when I was 18. Those last few years of teenagehood can be tough.

[luvofallhorses]

I'm so sorry! your son, you, and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. ((((HUGS)))) will you guys get to visit him often? I hope you'll be able to visit him on Christmas atleast.

[Twisterdog]

I'm so sorry you and your son are going through this. There is absolutely nothing more difficult in the world than seeing our suffering and not being able to help them.

My son was in the state boys' reform school for three months this year. He had just turned fifteen. I have recently been in a similar situation to yours. If you would like to PM me, please feel free.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Bless his heart - at least he is getting the help he so obviously needs. Prayers for you all

[trayi52]

I am so sorry that your son is going through this, I know what it is like to go through depression. I am taking meds right now for depression. I am also Bi-polar, so if I get off my meds, I would really be in trouble.

I will be sending prayers for you and your son, that he will get better, and that they will get his meds right for him.

Willie