Reply to Anxious & mild depression - take seriously or not?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would take it seriously, but I don't think that means mental health treatment at this time.

What it means is - fun family activities - what does she like that you'd do with her on the weekends? Board games, hikes, going to events (professional basketball? Go see high school games?), going out to eat at a restaurant (turn food into a fun special thing rather than a source of stress). Cooking, gardening, building something, fun hairstyling?

Major screen time limits. Let her be bored without the laptop or watch. See what happens.

Are there other hobbies you can help her deepen? Art, music, other sports, whatever. Be creative.

Encouraging socializing? Would she like to have friends over more often? Volunteer to go pick them up. Is there something they're doing that she would want to join? Opportunities to expand her social circle?

Overfocusing on her eating and lectures are NOT the answer her. Helping her find real joy in life is. The eating is a symptom of her unhappiness. Focus on helping her find joy and happiness, not the food or weight.

And take a look, critically, at yourself. Do you have and nurture hobbies? Do you socialize and have friends? Are you active, not in the form of exercise designed to keep your weight/tone, but fun, active hobbies that move and use your body? Do you spend too much time on a screen? Be the change. Lead by example.

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PP to clarify - if a strong effort on these things wasn't working in 6-12 months, yes, I would be looking into a therapist. Or if it got worse. I'm not anti-therapy, I just don't think you're there yet. [/quote]

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