My almost 18 yearold son has been fighting depression-type symtoms since a major relationship break up around a year ago. he wont go to therapy. so finally got him to got his MD. who after having him fill out two questioneers, said he was bipolar 2 and wanted him to take lexafor and depakote. we are gettting a second opinion before he even thinks about starting meds.

So is this stress related or more...This kid is putting himself under enourmouse stress right now- its the last two months of senior year, he just finished major comepetitions and he is awaiting music audition results from two colleges, and one is the one he really wants to go to the other -well its settling for one. But hes working on scholarship apps, and is keeping decent grades, working and has a new girlfriend- who other than being younger - seems fine.

in the mean time- since my side of the family has had anxiety issues since my grandmother... we have decided until next week to give him some xanex at night only- to see if it helps him get some sleep and reduce his stress levels.

my questions- is this common practice of mds to base bipolar diagn.on? his reg. blood work came back fine, though i read about a seratonin blood test- anyone had that?

well the second opinion -dr. does not feel it is bipolar.
He talked with my son and basically told him what he was feeling was normal. which i think helped more than anything and that all is more the tail end of a grief-end of relationship- type depression, senior year stress and hormones.
Dr. says he thinks he could probably get through it on his own, but son wanted a bit of help, so he put him on anti-dep. pamelor 10mg. to help him through it. and if anxiety is a factor this will help also.

Your situation with your son is nearly identical to my almost 19 year old son's. He broke up with his girlfriend after three year relationship. The stress on him was terrible. He graduated 3rd. in his class of 07 and was accepted to Penn State in their PGM program. After three days we had to return to pick him up as the stress of being away from home was too much. He is now at a Penn State satellite facility, living at home, and seems to be improving. He basically suffers from chronic anxiety. He's currently on a anti-anxiety med that's $4.00 from the pharmacy. It's OK but affects his sleep. I'm looking at Seredyn for long term help as this has no side effects.

I know it was out of my hands, but am glad that the decision was made for us (God)... and my son will be going to college and living at home. especially after reading your sons account. There is so much preasure on these kids to know what they want before they leave high school and my son is not one to vary from what he's said he will do. So i think that puts even more preasure on him. The med the dr. put him on is also $4 at Walmart which makes it doable. He seems to be doing better on it- though the dry mouth was difficult at first - but is getting better.

I believe anxiety is a big part of my sons difficulties- as it runs in our family. I take buspar and it works beautifully for me with little or no side effects-no weight gain or sleep problems either. BUt it doesnt have the calming effect overall it reduces the anxiety attacks and feeling of unrest.