My hubby and have been navigating the world of a teen with depression for the past 6 months. Not long but some days it feels like forever. One step forward, two steps back and all that.   On the positive side I feel like we are slowly moving forward with talking therapy and medication. But it's starting to feel as though whenever she is faced with a challenge or a situation she doesn't like her go-to reaction is a physical one - headache (that doesn't respond to treatment), stomach ache, nausea etc etc - and as much as we hate ourselves for it our patience is wearing thin. Particularly when she can be doing fine the night before but next morning when it's time to face school...bam, sick. Ending up spending all day in bed sleeping/not functioning.   I do understand that psychological stress often masquerades as physical symptoms and it isn't that I don't believe her. I just find it hard to maintain a truly supportive parent role at these times, especially when we still have to function as adults, go to work, get things done etc etc but she can't be left alone.   We've gone down the path of making her go to school on multiple occasions (before the diagnosis, not so much since) but end up getting a call from sick bay to bring her home. School are fully informed, they have been amazingly supportive and flexible and willing to help whenever things get too stressful during class but once she is 'sick' they can't do much.   She's facing the end of Year 11 and it has been a really tough time academically. But some days it feels like she doesn't want to get better despite all the help that is on offer.   Needing some inspiration to be the parent/s I/we want to be!! ... View more