Dear Stepchild:

Isn't it bad to give kids antidepressants? Doesn't it raise their chances of committing suicide?

-Mom

Mom-

Many doctors have spent countless clinical hours explaining the pros and cons of these medications to concerned, and confused, parents. Here is what we do know: Suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst children and antidepressants have been proven to lower that risk.

All other arguments aside: If your child suffers from depression he/she is more likely to commit suicide without the medication than with it. So that alone should make the decision a no brainer.

-TRS

[From TRS's Wife: This is not a question that is so easily answered. This is something hat you could spend pages and pages on. I think such a short answer is too easily dismissed. Why not discuss some of the current research?]

Dear Stepchild:

What is the cure for homosexuality?  My 16 year old son just announced he suffers from this affliction and I want to know what treatment options are available.

-Concerned Parents

CP-

I have good news for you. Your son is not mentally ill. What you will have to accept is that your son is a homosexual and although his sexual preference may be in the minority, it does not fall in the category of mental illness.

There was a time when having desires outside of the mainstream would get you locked away in an asylum for sexual deviants and other undesirables (whether you were crazy or just possessed by a demon was up for grabs during some periods). Luckily for your son, the world has moved past locking people up for something as insignificant as a sexual preference.

As for a treatment, I do have a recommendation. The world can be a very cruel place for those who are different and to have the confidence to stand tall in the face of that adversity, he will need the love and support of his parents.

Standing by him now will shape the man he becomes later--and that would be true whether he were gay, straight, or indifferent.

-TRS

[From TRS's Wife: Again, I am wanting more info. How about a little of this history of homosexuality as a psychiatric disorder? Info about when the APA stopped considering it such? And how about some resources for these people? Like the number for P-FLAG and/or some sort of other national organizations?]

This is a new feature for my webpage.  Ann Landers meets Mental Illness.  This is a quick sample column that I wrote and I included the comments from my wife.  What does everyone think?  I really need advice (pun!) and comments.

(TRS Wife's comments are to me -- not to the writer...  just to clear up any confusion. )

askthestepchild@trsemail.com

trs@trsemail.com

Thank you!

~TRS