Anonymous asked this question on 4/25/2000:

i know my 9 year old is depressed almost everyday when he gets home from school he just wants to sit in his room for about a hour and a half it has alot to do with his weight i just found a doctor to help still that will take time what do i do to help him now?

Theresa57 gave this response on 4/25/2000:

Hi Anonymous. You mention that you have found a doctor to help, but you didn't say what type of doctor this is. First, I would suggest that you have your son see a psychiatrist that specializes in working with children who are depressed. Is your son on any anti-depressant medication, or any other types of medication? This is something that a psychiatrist can address. It is also very important that your son be involved in some counseling/therapy on a very regular basis to address the issues that contribute to his depression. If his weight is one of those issues, it is logical to assume that his self-esteem is very low. If you can locate a qualified therapist who is trained in treating depression in children, then this would be an excellent source of help. Has your son been placed on a diet? If not, seeking the recommendations of a medical physician such as a pediatrician who can recommend a diet program would be in order. It may also be helpful if there are no junk foods in the house that he can get to. Another suggestion would be for the family to become more conscious of the foods that all of you eat, which would make him feel less like he is different. Afterall, eating healthy is good for all of us. Getting involved in activities that allow some physical exertion would also be good for your 9 year old. These activities can be done as a family or he can be involved in activities with other children with similar problems. There could also be group therapy available for children with similar problems which would let him see that he is not alone with his problems. Try exploring available services through the social service dept. at local hospitals or psychiatric hospitals. These are usually good places for information on available resources. Another resource that you may want to give some consideration to is a local church that has a good youth program. If you are a member of a church, your church may have a good youth department. I can appreciate your concern for your child as this truly shows the love that you have for him. And, it is always very hard for a parent to see their child suffer in any way. As a parent, we always want to do what is best for our child and what will make things better. I hope that this information has been helpful to you and encourage you to ask any other questions that you may have that I can be of assistance with. Good luck in getting your son to return to that happy child that you know he really is.