Help for my 17 year old niece... anxiety, depression

[Anonymous]

My niece has been struggling with a lot since middle school. She is
Seeing a dr for anxiety issues. But we think one of the issues is that she doesn't really have a group of
friends to bang out with. My sister in law has been searching for something to have her join and meet other kids

Can you recommend or give some ideas of volunteering for teen or just teenage groups in the area. Alexandria, falls church Arlington or close by.
What activities other then school activities does your teenage girl do?

[Anonymous]

My DD with anxiety and depression participates in two sports and a church youth group, and has also participated in clubs and outside-of-school activities. All of that helps to a point--she connects with other kids during those times--but it doesn't necessary translate into have a group of friends to hang out with after school or on weekends. DD is working hard on the social anxiety piece but it really is one baby step at a time. So I guess what I'm saying is, helping your niece find an activity or two is not a bad thing to do, but it is more important for her family to be patient with her and on top of whether she is getting what she needs in therapy. Exposure therapy or DBT therapy are both good, evidence-based treatments for anxiety (and depression)...meds alone won't do it. Good luck to your niece.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD with anxiety and depression participates in two sports and a church youth group, and has also participated in clubs and outside-of-school activities. All of that helps to a point--she connects with other kids during those times--but it doesn't necessary translate into have a group of friends to hang out with after school or on weekends. DD is working hard on the social anxiety piece but it really is one baby step at a time. So I guess what I'm saying is, helping your niece find an activity or two is not a bad thing to do, but it is more important for her family to be patient with her and on top of whether she is getting what she needs in therapy. Exposure therapy or DBT therapy are both good, evidence-based treatments for anxiety (and depression)...meds alone won't do it. Good luck to your niece.

I could almost have written this. It's hard for my DD to make the connection between friendly interactions in activities or at school to deeper friendships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD with anxiety and depression participates in two sports and a church youth group, and has also participated in clubs and outside-of-school activities. All of that helps to a point--she connects with other kids during those times--but it doesn't necessary translate into have a group of friends to hang out with after school or on weekends. DD is working hard on the social anxiety piece but it really is one baby step at a time. So I guess what I'm saying is, helping your niece find an activity or two is not a bad thing to do, but it is more important for her family to be patient with her and on top of whether she is getting what she needs in therapy. Exposure therapy or DBT therapy are both good, evidence-based treatments for anxiety (and depression)...meds alone won't do it. Good luck to your niece.

I have a 17 year old son who suffers from severe anxiety and depression. I agree with this PP. Also, what helped my son more than this was his getting a job. He seems to do better in "adult" oriented life than in high school. It has been a huge turn around for him. He started with a lot of volunteer work, which led to his paying work.

As far as friends, the few kids that my son did connect with are those who also suffer from anxiety. They connected through certain classes in school - they were all placed in these classes because of their IEPs.

[Anonymous]

Thanks PPs, can you guys give some ideas of where to look for volunteer opportunities or teen support groups that get together maybe once a week

[Anonymous]

Not in your neck of the woods, but for the benefit of others with similar concerns who may be reading...Allison Sibley and Associates in Friendship Heights has teen support groups, including one for girls with anxiety and depression.