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

[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.............