Re: Loooonnnnnnngggggg Sigh....

[Guest guest]

hmmm, there are several routes to take if you are wanting to go subtle...one

thing..get her some bath stuff, specifically the healing gardens tangerine

stuff..the scents of tangerines, oranges, and lemons are all uplifting to the

spirit..so would aid with the depression..to help increase the

appetite(suggested to me by a master gardener/herbalist) are basil, chives and

salad burnet..all three of these are appetite stimulators..you could get her a

good multivitamin and give her some St s Wort along with it.

I am going to go take a look thru our files and can probably get back to you on

tons of ways to help with all this as naturally as possible

missy

Loooonnnnnnngggggg Sigh....

Sorry to be so uncommunicative lately...seems like there is just one

thing after another these days.

Today's saga stars Elaine. (Don't worry, this eventually becomes

autism-related...) She had a physical last week, and is now

officially, *medically* underweight. At 5 ft. 1 1/2 in., she weighs

a mere 83 lbs...and thinks she is fat. Jeekers.

She has symptoms of depression, anorexia, and being a teenager...none

of which is good, apparently, and most of which relates either to

having as a brother (see?) or to being a ballet

dancer...double whammy. The doctor put her on a calcium supplement,

recommended a nutritional consultation, and a phone call to the

psychologist to discuss counseling.

Just got off the phone with the psychologist who has been unfortunate

enough to have followed our woes since was 3, and we had a

nice, long chat. We decided on a plan of action that includes

allowing Elaine to use some of her school time to research and

construct a healthy eating plan, and then graphing/reporting on it.

We will look for creative ways to give her time alone to talk to me

(there's lots of loose time around, as you can imagine...), and will

start working on positive self-talk, etc. If she isn't doing any

better by mid-summer, she gets to start counseling---but we will aim

it at depression/coping rather than eating disorder, as that is not a

good label for her to have.

One of the things that came out in our conversation is that in our

family, it's very easy to feel a need to identify oneself by what

your " problem " is...and now she has hers. Rats.

If any of you know of a good website that discusses appropriate

nutrition for teens and/or natural remedies for depression (I don't

really want to drug yet another kid, ya know?), I'd sure love to have

the address(es).

Raena (who should really stop whining soon, huh?)

[Guest guest]

You are not whining! Poor Elaine. I wish I had some advice but I have none.

Maybe some alone time with her dad might help. I know that girls really need to

have a special bond with both parents but dads help them accept and love who

they are. I know this is all very hard for you guys. Let us know how she is

doing.

Jacquie H

[Guest guest]

Raena, I'm sorry your daughter is having troubles. But you are a very

estute and concerned parent for catching it. Depression and eating issues

are easily overlooked in teens. It is such a difficult age. It was a rough

transition for me, and mostly I just wanted a parent who would listen. It

sounds like you are doing all the right things. I would feel good about

that.

(SAHM in GA)

MSN elizabethloht@...

n 33, mo, no formal dx

Phoebe, 10 wks

----- Original Message -----

> Sorry to be so uncommunicative lately...seems like there is just one

> thing after another these days.

>

> Today's saga stars Elaine. (Don't worry, this eventually becomes

> autism-related...) She had a physical last week, and is now

> officially, *medically* underweight. At 5 ft. 1 1/2 in., she weighs

> a mere 83 lbs...and thinks she is fat. Jeekers.

>

> She has symptoms of depression, anorexia, and being a teenager...none

> of which is good, apparently, and most of which relates either to

> having as a brother (see?) or to being a ballet

> dancer...double whammy. The doctor put her on a calcium supplement,

> recommended a nutritional consultation, and a phone call to the

> psychologist to discuss counseling.

>

> Just got off the phone with the psychologist who has been unfortunate

> enough to have followed our woes since was 3, and we had a

> nice, long chat. We decided on a plan of action that includes

> allowing Elaine to use some of her school time to research and

> construct a healthy eating plan, and then graphing/reporting on it.

> We will look for creative ways to give her time alone to talk to me

> (there's lots of loose time around, as you can imagine...), and will

> start working on positive self-talk, etc. If she isn't doing any

> better by mid-summer, she gets to start counseling---but we will aim

> it at depression/coping rather than eating disorder, as that is not a

> good label for her to have.

>

> One of the things that came out in our conversation is that in our

> family, it's very easy to feel a need to identify oneself by what

> your " problem " is...and now she has hers. Rats.

>

> If any of you know of a good website that discusses appropriate

> nutrition for teens and/or natural remedies for depression (I don't

> really want to drug yet another kid, ya know?), I'd sure love to have

> the address(es).

[Guest guest]

> you could get her a good multivitamin and give her some St s

Wort along with it.

>

Just be very careful with the herbs. My gyn suggested St. 's Wort

for PMS so I tried it. I came so close to passing out my husband had

to help me to a chair. I couldn't walk, the room was spinning,

everything kept turning black...

Needless to say I'm NOT taking St. 's Wort again. I don't know

why I had such a reaction to it but it was not good. Sometimes we

tend to forget that just because it's an herb doesn't mean it's not

just as powerful as chemical medication. The side effects can be just

as severe as anti-depressants.

Tina

[Guest guest]

i don't think you should stop whining raena! you hand out your fair share of

help, support and professional opinions. i wish i had some advice for you.

take care.

M.G.mum to

Sebastian, 11 kinda quirky(NT)

Rowan, 6 extra quirky (ASD)

married to and living in Northern Ontario

[Guest guest]

Well, first of all, that isn't long.....

Secondly, you aren't whining!!!!

Depression and Anorexia??? Yikes!! That's serious stuff.

Keep talking...sounds like you're gonna need to!

Penny :/

Loooonnnnnnngggggg Sigh....

Sorry to be so uncommunicative lately...seems like there is just one

thing after another these days.

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry. Maybe some therapy with dad and daughter could be in order. That

is if he is willing to go. ~sigh~ Hang in there.

Jacquie H

Re: Loooonnnnnnngggggg Sigh....

> Maybe some alone time with her dad might help. I know that girls

> really need to have a special bond with both parents but dads help

> them accept and love who they are. >

Well, that's part of the problem...she is very angry with her dad;

will barely stay in the same room with him. She and I talked about

that last night...but I'm not sure it will change. It's a

complicated situation I guess...and you're right, I really worry that

she doesn't have a positive male role model right now.

Raena