Social anxiety and depression in teens. How to help?

Hey @Evelynnn! How are you today?

Thank you very much for starting this discussion. I think the fact that you are trying to help and are aware of something being off is the first step to helping your daughter. I think it is important to create a safe environment for her to open up when she feels ready. I will ask other members and hopefully, we all can help your family.

@sophiesmum @anxietyisme @Alquimist @saalikkkk @nazza91 @lordvee @KleboldKlan @Arn_UK @Marv61 @lesmal @Pippadog @robjmckinney @whitecross1955 @BrianM @Tigger.co.uk @richard0804 @mjteddy @mr chipps @Sonicbear

Hey everyone! How is your day going?

How do you think @Evelynnn should approach this situation? What to do when you notice someone in your family getting depressed and socially anxious? How to express support without coming off as pushy?

Take care,

Polina from the Carenity team

What child does not have issues these days, certainly mine have issues ranging from self harm, drug abuse, mental health issues, sexual abuse etc. etc. Getting them to talk about it has always been an issue and getting help from the NHS a lost cause. Is there anyone in the family close to you daughter that may be able to get her to talk as parents sometimes are seen as the enemy or they don't want you to know they have made a mistake. Sadly today children seem to be glued to the 'online experiencies' rather than making direct friends. We were very worried about my daughter as she had no direct local friends, her whole life based online. It was not until we had some chats with friends that this seem to be a trend.

If you can gain some hint of her 'problem' there are some excellent groups on Facebook that can inform and share real experience of diverse problems. I must admit I found out to late of such groups and how useful they are, virtually every subject/issue is covered. I just had the delight of adopting our granddaughter through an SGO, the worst experience of our lives. Both parents have mental health problems, both tried to commit suicide, self harm etc. during the process. Social Services were terrible, lying in court, appalling dishonesty and no help anywhere. We won our case despite objections from Social Services the judge saw through their lies. But the point is, I found the Facebook groups with lots of similar experiencies of people all over the country, all to late but we were not alone. So my point is, try to identify her area of issues and look for a group with similar experiencies.

I had to section my son for a few days earlier this year but the NHS system is broken and discharging them quickly seems to be their intention. They now have him on various drugs and increasing strength, the Mother of our grandchild with serious mental issues where I supervise her on any contact, as directed by the courts. I have used various phycologists and therapists over many years and recent a therapist with our grandchild to check out our concerns, she was fantastic, no issues found thankfully. So there are various options for sourcing them online locally, therapists cheaper than phycologists. For the recent therapist, last year it was £55 a session and years ago phycologists triple or a lot more.

You may find it may be bullying of somekind and not more serious problems, talking is the best way to get a hint of the issue. Good luck!