New member - Supporting a young adult with Aspergers, anxiety and depression

[Life_long_learner]

Hi, this is my first post. I've ended up here because I really need help supporting my daughter. To date I've operated on instinct but I'm confused, and don't know how best to help her. The depression is the most difficult.......I've read a lot of information but if she doesn't want to (or can't) take my advice, or the advice of her medical advisers, what do I do? She is on her second type of medication and the miracle fix I was hoping for hasn't happened yet. People describe the 'clouds lifting' but we are still waiting for the storm clouds to pass. Any wise words would be much appreciated or what I can do to educate myself. There must be other parents out there who have been through this...... or other young adults who can advise me how to help her. Thanks

[CMF]

Hi LLL and welcome,

Im sad to hear of your daughters struggles and yours. I have a friend with a son in the same position. He missed over a year of school with anxiety/depression. At 13 he was officially diagnosed with asbergers. He has since moved to a specialist school where he attends 1 day a week and once a month the family goes away on a retreat for the weekend. He is now 15 and has come a long way socially and has come out of his shell do much.

I hope this is of some help and you can get the assistance needed.

Wishing you the best.

Cmf

[geoff]

hello LLL, I'm really sorry to know of your situation, but perhaps you could change tact here, maybe contact HeadSpace or ReachOut, these people wear casual clothes so their first approach may not seem to be so frightening as someone who is wearing a suit and tie and especially having to sit down in an office where there are a desk and two chairs, which maybe making her feel very uncomfortable. Geoff.

[Life_long_learner]

Thanks CMF for sharing your story. My daughter has literally just finished yr 12 so that hurdle is out of the way. No idea what the future holds but we will take it one day at a time.

[Life_long_learner]

Hi G, that is actually really good advice. She has a good rapport with her psychologist who is very casual but she hates going to the Psychiatrist which is exactly the set up you have described. A necessary evil I'm afraid.