Anyone Have a Tween That's Had Depression?

[LKornak]

Hi,

My 12 yr. old daughter has been experiencing tiredness, muscle aches and some sleeping problems lately. Also concentrating on her homework has been a problem even though she will finish it & is a good student. Her pediatrician ran blood tests on her for lyme disease, thyroid disorders, mononucleosis and anemia but they all came back negative. He wants me to wait 2 more weeks (this is her last week of school) to see how she is then before doing anymore tests or deciding on what to do next. I know there is not a blood test for depression.

Has anyone had any experience with this or any words of wisdom? She always has energy in the morning but by the afternoon she is dragging. I have more energy then her & I am in my 50's! I have one older son in his 20's so I know what a normal child with energy is like. Thanks for any help!

 

[PhillyinFrance]

From what you say, I wouldn't assume it was depression.  I think they all go through periods of energy, as well as periods of being tired and achy.   She may be going through a growth spirt.   There are lots of physical changes that can explain her symptoms, although t is true you have to keep an eye on the emotional side.  Again, some emotional ups and downs are very normal, so I think only a doctor can really probe and tell if it is depression or anxiety.

I think vacations and changes in routine can be a big help.  See if it goes away during the summer, or particulary if she is going on vacation or to camp.

[Helfen]

I was worried about my 12 yr old for awhile too...even took him to talk with a counselor. It was just a phase I think. The kids at this age go through so much. It is hard for them to deal with the pressures of school (you said she is a good student) and the social aspects of a middle school.Not to mention their changing bodies and hormones.

I found it best to give my son about a half hour window between school and home where I just don't ask questions...it was a very hard transition between school world and home world. 

Hopefully a relaxing summer is all she needs.

[LKornak]

Thanks for everyone's posts.

My daughter started counseling this past June for depression & anxiety & is still going now. We did go on vacation this past June for 8 days and she was very low on energy, had a lost of interest in alot of things & just was plain blahh. I'm glad I took her to the counselor now. Plus last June her grades really plummeted badly so I knew that wasn't her real self.

Her grades are back up now & she has more energy. I also found out that some relatives of mine have suffered from depression on both my side & my husbands so I knew this was another red flag.

I'm keeping on top of her now. My husband works the night shift 6 days a week so he's not with her much so I'm the one that spends the most time with her since alot of the time he's tired. If in doubt with a problem with your child your pediatrician can usually help. Mine finally did tell me to take her to a social worker. Luckily, we found a really good one!

[MamaJane]

I'm glad she's doing better!  And I agree, when in doubt...

 

My issue was with my 10 yo boy.  He's had issues since he was a toddler, but it was always in phases so we'd think we were through it or he grew out of it.  This fall his bad behavior has really escalated. He's testing at school for learning disabilities (on top of the neurological speech disorder he's had since birth).  I suspected anxiety disorder.  He's now seen a psychologist who suspected he had spine trauma at birth (she got this from my history and after seeing him said he stood and held himself funny).  We are now seeing a chiropractor and yes he has trauma to his spine up by is neck.  They believe it is fixable.  This could possibly be causing his bed wetting, anxiety, anger and pain!  So yes I'm a firm believer in seeking help.  It amazes me what knowledge is out there.   

[PinkLight]

My son also had bedwetting issues and we paid 3 grand for a behavior mod program where he wore a buzzer at night. That dam thing went off 2 and 3 times a night and waking him up was a blast. You had to squirt him with a water bottle. He'd finally wake up wet and mad. Then they wanted up to put him in the shower. We tried that exactly once. It seems like child abuse, looking back (and probably parent abuse as well). Then my naet guy suggested testing him for melatonin. He tested positive which meant that his body wasn't recognizing his own melatonin which regulates your body clock. So he treated him and it was he flipped a switch in his brain. No more bedwetting,. If you want to learn more, there's a website www.naet.com. You can search for a practioner near you.

[NoelleJames642]

Talia had it right before her gymnastics competition.