15 years old boy suffer depression

Hello

I am new here. Recently my son has been diagnose depression. He is going to start counseling soon. I don't how how bad his condition is until the doctor made assessment. I heard St. Johns wort is a good natural supplement for depression. Is anyone here had experience on St. Johns wort? is there any other natural foods and medicine that could help? I am deeply worried and feel very guilty that I didn't discover his condition earlier enough that made him suffer from this illness. any suggestion and recommendation will be very helpful for us. Thanks so much!

Welcome to the depression forum. Jon is so on with this. It is like children growing. When you are with them everyday, you don't notice the subtle changes. I am glad that you are getting him help. Please don't beat yourself up over this. You did nothing wrong. You are a good parent.  Try not to doubt yourself.  You are doing all the right things.

Hugs, Karen

To me, psychotherapy wasn't much different from therapy. And I think it depends if you are a good match too. I have had one or two that I didn't like and quit going. But I kept trying with others.

I think sometimes psychotherapy might go a little deeper into your past and stuff. But I have explored my past with a therapist before too.

I think either one would be fine. But if it is important to you, I would call around and get some information. You could talk to a doctor or call some offices yourself and see what is the difference. I guess the psychologist would be more educated. I know, I am not much help. But I find myself drifting as I took my sleepy meds.

I hope that this helped some.

Hugs, Karen

This is all part of the depression. As he gets better his interests will pick back up. I think that the most importatnt thing right now is to start with counseling, the rest should fall into place. Do keep encouraging him though. I am sure that it is helping. But don't push too hard, he may tend to bottle things up more. Best wishes with this situation.

Hugs, Karen

Hello,

Might I just say that I am so happy to hear he is in counseling. I knew from early on what "depression" was and what sadness felt like, but I didn't put myself into counseling until I was 18. I wish someone would've helped me sooner, God knows I needed it...

I'm not sure about herbal remedies, but anti-depressants were a tremendous help to me. I know a lot of people are scared of them, but if the doctor thinks its a good idea, have him try it out. And if he does and doesn't feel better, please dont be discouraged; it took my 3 different meds before I found one that worked for me.

I just want to personally thnk you for being a concerned mother. When my mother found out i was in therapy she freaked out and never wanted to hear about it. She didn't want to accept the fact that her kid was in counseling. But you are doing the right thing, and I'm sure you son will receive great help.