Living in A Perfect World

We keep trying to figure out what has caused this to occur and are still not totally sure. For so much of her life, my daughter was happy and excelled academically and in activiities and had friends. We moved from the town she had lived in most of her life to the one we are in now because of the schools. We now live in  a place most people call a bubble. Lots and lots of perfect people here.

Sometimes there is a perfect storm that piles a lot of events together. For us, those events were negative and I believe were the root of our problems. Our first year here was charmed. School was great, a few friends made, a new sport was started. The late summer before 7th grade, my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Fortunately, it was found very early and only surgery was required. We did not realize it at the time, but our daughter was internalizing lots of feelings of fear and confusion. Added to that, our family dog she had known as a "brother" suddenly passed away. Piled on top of that were all the normal hormone issues and feelings of not being the perfect girl she had always been.

Looking back, we should have realized things were more seriouss than we thought. Through many different events, we finally realized she needed counseling and began with a highly recommended therapist. That lasted for 8 months until we found out that the main issues we had brought her there for were not being addressed. However, she seemed to come out of the worst of her depression. Just last week, many different things came together to point us in the more aggressive patent mode once again.

The "D" word was not mentioned before as a possible problem. I am slowly learning that it is just not something she can snap out of. Looking back and journaling is making me realize how many times I thought she was just being a selfish and moody teenager. She is wonderful most of the time and I know we will eventually be fine. I just can't wait for it to be in the past!

Ray of Hope

I am the mother of a daughter who has been diagnosed with depression. She has just turned 15 and we have been having varying degrees of moodiness over the last two years. We think it was triggered when my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the fall of 2008.

Her first counselling experience was disappointming to say the least. We took a break because she seemed so much better. She has recently begun cutting herself again and exhibiting very painful to watch antisocial behaviors. School grades are suffereing. Friendships are ending. We started with a new counselor this week who gives us great hope. She recommended medication (Paxil) which our physician has approved. Today is her first day with antodepressants. It is quite terrifying when you read possible side effects but we think we are doing what is right.

I wanted to keep a permanent record of how this all goes. It is mainly for me. If you have any thoughts, tips, or similar stories, please let me know what you think. Life is never boring with a teenager but I am looking forward to normal teenage problems.