Depressed Teen

Sorry you have to go through this. I don't have a teen, but I was depressed at one point in my life and have a few clients that come to me for depression.

First you need to make sure you know where it comes from... the grades might not be it. The grades might create anxiety because at some level he might think that that is what is left of what defines him (since part of his identity as a athlete went away) and he holds on to it as an attempt to stay himself. But that's just a guess from the information you are giving.

Depression can be caused by different reasons. If his kidneys are not working properly he might not be able to eliminate heavy metals/petrol chemicals/ or other substances correctly and that can impact the way the brain functions and how hormones are made. I would check with a good doctor or even better with a naturopath.

You can also try hypnotherapy, sophrology. There are simple, non offensive methods that can really help him.

These podcst can be interesting to you:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-medicine-radio...

Good luck!

I see that you are in the Bay area. Contact me if you need references.

Hi, B.:
What kind of kidney disease does he have?
Is it so severe that he can't be athletic?
Just want to know his physical condition.
D.

If his kidneys can handle it... get him on meds!

I was 14 when I attempted suicide. I too was taken for counseling throughout my teens... it too would seem to help as we were leaving the office, but once I got in the car and drove home, the fantasy was over.

Having major (clinical) depression superimposed on dysthymia (chronic depression dysthymic disorder) is physically and mentally painful. As a 38 yr old adult... I wish my mom and dad had gotten me on some meds back then. Now I am on antidepressents and my quality of life is so much better!

maybe he should talk to a sports psychologist. it may help. My husband, Cory Bank, actually is one of the top rated sports psychologists in the philadelphia area. Here is his website: www.abingtonpsychology.com. He also does tele-coaching over the phone if you would want to use his services even though you already have a crisis center. You never know what may help and when it's your child, you do whatever is necessary. You can always call or email Cory (____@____.com) and see if he can be of any help. Best of luck.

Ssandy seems to know what she is talking about. The only thing I can add is that not a single person in my family have suffered from depression. I have/had NEVER thought that depression and anxiety would enter into my life. I don't like taking asprin, and would have never considered taking an anti depressant or anxiety meds. Weeeeellllllll, I had twin boys ( :)!! ) and suffered from post partum depression and severe anxiety. I could NOT SLEEP and I could NOT EAT! Just a bit of background...I only gained 29 lbs with the twins and they were born at 30 weeks. They spend 6 weeks in the NICU and I was pumping milk every 2-3 hours 24/7. I was 149 lbs when I delivered and after they came home I was 108...I could not sleep or eat.
My point to this is, I was totally caught off guard with the whole anxiety/depression issue and med's were the ONLY thing that helped me. As I stated above, I would NEVER take drugs, but it REALLY, REALLY HELPED ME!! The anti depressant, but more the anti anxiety med's got me thru my days...and nights...but were not addictive. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have medical support.
FYI...I just remembered that I went to counseling (for the first time in my life) and LOVED it...and I am a shy girl. I needed the combo of meds and a shrink and it all worked out great :)
Much luck and love!

First of all let me say that you have done your job as a mom by raising a son who can fight whatever it is that happened to his kidneys, 14 is a rough time in general but to overcome kidney issues of any kind, good job MOM! Second good job MOM for taking him to the crisis center not all moms are strong enough to do that. So I think you and your son deserve massive pats on he back.

In regards for finding him assistance I have found the best therepy is hypnotherepy. They are not limited in the session by what is or is not said, the patient is taken on a journey. Often times a regular therepist only addresses what you tell them to address, what if there is something deeper that even he is not fully aware of that is bringing him to the dark place he finds himself? I have not been depressed, but I have been thru trauma and I think (personal not professional) that he may be having issues that stem from trauma more than depression itself. Any major medical issue can easiy be classified as trauma. Bonus: most insurance companies cover hypnotherepy too!

I would ask him if something at school is bothering him try doing cyber school and see if that makes a difference. I am 16 a mother and i was depressed at school cause my freshman year (9th grade) my health started to drop quite a bit.
I had sprained my ankle in 8th grade then it led into me having a tear in my ligament. then that led me to seeing specialists at childrens hospital. Then I got sick and couldnt keeo anything down. so my mom took me out of public school and she noticed i wasnt as depressed. then my dads health went down and i was always worrying about my little siblings coming home from school and not knowing why dad was nonresponsive because he has strokes. so then we put me in cyber and it helped alot and then found out that i was pregnant and that just put the icning on the cake.
Wish you luck..