CATTY- I am having a hard time with my 14 year old and she shows many of the signs you mentioned. She is currently taking Celexa and I see a slight change, diagnosis-depression. I have had a gut feeling it is something it is much more. Thanks so much for sharing-I think we need to see the doctor again.

Why do you have a 14 year old on Celexa?

she was diagnosed with depression-not suicidal, but very low self esteem, pretty much not wanted to be bothered with anything for some time now. Believe me, I was not sure if I wanted her to take it.I tried everything I could with her. Praise, trying to get her to go to school functions, involved in sports. She went and decided she was not good enough, or she just hated doing these things. Nothing would change her mind. Her doctor prescribed Celexa for this reason. I noticed she was a totally different person for about 6 months, now-it seems like she is back to where she started from.

I think you should call your doctor and see if she needs something changed. Maybe this drug is not working for her now. Or maybe she needs a bigger dose of it. Always take depression seriously because you never know when someone is thinking about sucide. My friends child whose is 12 is on anitdepressants now and is doing so much better. They have had to adjust the dose of it.
I hate to say this but sometimes a doctor who does not specialize in Pysch does not know as much about the drugs and doesnot give the proper dosage. You might need to go to a shrink and they can help find out what is going on with her and if she medications they will know what is best. Just a thought. I would first call your doctor and tell them what is going on with her behavior and see what they recommend. Like you said you need to see the doctor again. I wish you luck!

Nursey is right. The fact that she showed slight improvement on Celexa means the doctor is groping in the right direction. It may take a combination. You must keep trying different things as this is the only way she can be helped. If as most practitioners believe, clinical (as opposed to situational) depression is chemistry-based, it will take chemicals to relieve it. Sometimes people freak when you say "chemicals," but our bodies are made up of chemicals, and any of them might go crackerdog at any time. Stick with her, promise her you will continue to get help for her until she finds relief and love her.

Catty (who thanks God every day for her drugs)

Teens are famous for being self conscious. I watched a program on PBS showing CAT scans of teens that showed shocking similarities to those of adult schizophrenics. They are in a transitional phase. It is normal for them to act odd. As long as there is no extreme problem like suicidal behavior, get her off that drug. You aren't helping her. Please read my post on the question about Paxil for clarification. I have taken Celexia. I know exactly what that drug does to you.

I'm in agreement with Nursey about Doctors not always knowing how to treat someone with depression. Research aroud in your area for counseling. If you can get her into counseling, I think that would help her talk out her feelings as well as doing the proper drug therapy for her. We all get depressed on some level. Some can't shake it and it becomes controlling their lifes. It's what we do with the depression that matters the most.
Teens have a hard time adjusting to the changes around them and the changes to them. Perhaps your daughter is one of these.
I'm praying for you and her. kar

For some teens, I expect some degree of depression. They aren't children anymore. They are making the break from parents and want to be independent. If you are 14, you want to be 16. If you are 16, you want to be 18. They want more control in their lives, yet they aren't emotionally ready (although they think they are) to tackle adult aspects of life.

Teens have no choice in many matters. They have to go to a certain school, like it or not. Parents still have a large degree of control over them. Young women are sent so many mixed messages in our society. There is everything from feminist ideas, soap opera delusional bombardment, or are they supposed to be like a Baywatch babe. It is confusing for even adult women to figure out just what role they are supposed to have. Girls tend to be mature in many ways without life experience to guide them. Friends and peer pressure rule.

It is very difficult for many teen girls during this transition period of their life. What seems like a really big deal to them isn't for an adult. They do get upset over things they feel they cannot control. Many times that does lead to depression. Sometimes it may appear to adults that there is nothing wrong for them to be upset about. That may not be the case with her at all.

If she is willing to open up and talk to either you or a councilor (if need be), I would suggest finding out what is on her mind. I would try this before using medication on her. Many times small frustrations in life to lead to a hopeless feeling of depression.