Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Advice for a mother with depressed son

JennS
JennS
My son has Asperger's and is very sensitive. He's been very depressed
about school because he's experiencing a lot of presser.

I've tried giving him advice but it doesn't seem to help him. I don't want to put him on meds because he's only 17.

Do any of you have any ideas?

Thanks for any help you can give us.
tommymott
tommymott
First of all, get over the idea that your son is too young for meds. My autistic son is now 33 and started meds at age 12 to prevent seizures. My experience with my son has shown that he does better with a hug than with advice. I hope you're working with a competent doctor. I wish you and yours the best.
JennS
JennS
thank you.
sadiegirl13
sadiegirl13
Does he have a t? Getting advice from someone other than Mom will probably carry more weight. it's not YOU, it's that no kid that age wants to listen to what mom says. A t could also help you to gauge if he would benefit from meds right now or not.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
counselling might help, can that be arranged through the school?
MayB
MayB
Hi Jen..

This sounds very hard I agree with Tommy meds might help him so might a visit to a therapist....

Would a visit to a GP kick it in gear?
dobiedots
dobiedots
Is he "regular" depressed or is it clinical depression? I think only a doc would know.
JennS
JennS
Thank you everyone.
MaddenSixx
MaddenSixx
I understand you being hesitant about putting your son on medication. I was diagnosed with bipolar at the age of fifteen and have been on medication ever sense then. When I was first diagnosed with it my mom didn't want me on medication because she felt that I was to young for it.

The best option like someone else said is make him an appointment with a therapist because sometimes it helps just talking about problems, and they're more qualified to say yes medication is needed or no it is not.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
he's asperger's, not bipolar.

it's posibly worth adding, in my limited experience, and I think I may have seen this on the net (so it must be right, yeah?) that some people on the autism spectrum show different reactions to meds or different sensitivities. That can mean they don't work or that you need to be on much lower doses.

as per my previous answer I'd suggest pursuing counselling.

A further thought, is he on an IEP? One of my step sons had some accommodations that reduced some of the stresses with exams - problems with peers are of course a bit more difficult.
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