Daughter is Depressed…What Can I Do?

Reader’s Question

I need to know what steps I can take to get my 21 year old daughter help. She will not admit she is depressed and I cannot suggest bipolar to her. So I am not sure how to get her to go for help; she currently lives with me and is a sweetheart for the most part. But when she has a flare up, watch out!

Bipolar runs in her father’s family. Her aunt was diagnosed and on medication, her father is but will not get help. I am positive my daughter is: she is very depressed at times, lashes out at people, lies frequently and if any little thing happens she flips out and you cannot console her.

Can you please let me know how to approach her and what kind of help should I seek for her?

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

Depressed folks have flare-ups and emotional outbursts and what you’ve described is more depression than Bipolar Disorder. Many people are hesitant if not outright resistive to treatment for depression. In this situation, it’s helpful to focus on:

1. the observable signs of depression such as intense crying episodes or problems with mood, and
2. the physical symptoms of depression such as insomnia, fatigue, poor concentration, muscle aches, etc.

Your front line treatment source is your family physician as people are more comfortable seeking consultation with their GP than a mental health professional.

I’d discuss her observable signs and physical symptoms and suggest a check-up with the family MD. Most family MD’s can detect depression and prescribe the proper medication as well as make suggestions for counseling/therapy. If she agrees to see the family MD, do your homework and have a list of mental health resources in your region available should she agree to additional treatment.