Leave of Absence due to Depression (High-School)?!
Question: Hi, I have looked on Google and I can't seem to find any information on how to have my parents go about doing this.
I won't go into detail, because with everyone the depression is the same thing: Hate school, thoughts of death, feeling worthless, etc. I have all of the symptoms in order to call me "clinically depressed." I have a psychiatrist, and he has prescribed me antidepressants--they don't work; I don't feel them obviously because I am more depressed than ever.
I am in 10th grade at a private high-school in California. I would like to know if it would be possible for me to take a leave of absence for a while (however much time is possible,) and how to go about doing this.
I would be fine with doing homework assigned while I was gone.
Please help me :(
Answers: Hi, I have looked on Google and I can't seem to find any information on how to have my parents go about doing this.
I won't go into detail, because with everyone the depression is the same thing: Hate school, thoughts of death, feeling worthless, etc. I have all of the symptoms in order to call me "clinically depressed." I have a psychiatrist, and he has prescribed me antidepressants--they don't work; I don't feel them obviously because I am more depressed than ever.
I am in 10th grade at a private high-school in California. I would like to know if it would be possible for me to take a leave of absence for a while (however much time is possible,) and how to go about doing this.
I would be fine with doing homework assigned while I was gone.
Please help me :(
First off, go back to the doctor and ask him to change your meds. There is a good dosage for you and you deserve to find it. Second, staying home is probably the last thing you need to do. If allowed to sit at home you might just get a lot more depressed, making it even harder to go back. Last, if you talk to your doctor, he can fill out papers to get you out of school for a while. They will let you do homework, and the visiting teacher will come to your house to help you and bring assignments. The only way this can be done, tho, is to have the doctor say it is medically necessary. Otherwise, it is considered skipping school and can get both you and your parents in trouble. Good luck. I hope things work out for you. I know you can get past this.
definitly talk with a guidance counselor and/or principal.
hope the best. keep your head ^
My granddaughter went through this . She has attention deficit disorder(they found out recently) and depression. They finally got her on the right medication and she is going to an alternative school. Homeschool on line or by your parents is another option. She is also in grade 10.
They worked with her old school and her doctors and parents to find a solution. Now instead of wanting to quit school, she loves going.
Ps. you did not say how long you were on antidepressants but it can take 3 weeks or longer to get in your system. Or sometimes it takes several tries with the help of the docotr to get the right one or the combination of some. Good LucK!
Check with your psychiatrist on this one. If he agrees with you, he may write a note to the school, that he thinks this would be best for you.. Without the psychiatrist note, I doubt the school would let you. If you can get both your doctor and your parents to write a note, then that would help you for sure.
How long have you been on the medicine? Sometimes it can take a while to work. If it has been a while, there are lots of other antidepressants you can try. Some work differently than others so you should talk to your psychiatrist about it. I think stopping school should be a last resort. It would be way too easy to isolate yourself, and become more depressed. You have to do the work either way too.
The only way I can see a leave of absence being allowed is if you have a signed note from your psychiatrist, and I don't think he would think it's a good idea either.
that's weak. all teens get depressed due to hormones and life changes. suck it up like everyone else and go to school. you can't go through life looking for outs.
The only thing you can do is go on homebound school or go on homeschool Still do work and homework. Talk to your principal.