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1962464 tn?1344606673

Depression, migraine headaches, and stomach pain.

My 12 year old grand daughter is suffering from depression along with migraine headaches so severe that they cause nausea. Her headaches are constant, with only an occasional reprieve of a fe hours during which time they continue in a dull form. She had to spend 5 days in the psychiatric section of a children's hospital. She ended up there because she wouldn't take care of herself, not even eating or drinking. The depression was caused by the suicide of her cousin of the same age. She is going to counseling and is under the care of a doctor. I was told that acupuncture could help. Does anyone have any experience with acupuncture for depression and pain?
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1962464 tn?1344606673
Thank you for your replies. I am only trying to find a way to ease her pain. She is going to counseling to try and find out what is going on, and will continue with her therapist as long as she needs it. She has missed most of the second half of the school year due to her depression and pain. The therapist, just today, faxed a request to the school for her to get a tutor and school work. My granddaughter thinks she will be held back and won't get to be with her friends next year. I imagine this belief is adding to her depression. We don't want to stop or change her treatment. We just want her physical pain to be under control.
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   I do agree with Rockrose.  There might be something else going on here then just the awful demise of her cousin.
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13167 tn?1327194124
Well,  I agree with Mark and Sandman except that I think migraines this severe - all alone -  can cause depression.  

I don't know that you can attribute her depression and migraines to her cousin's suicide - but rather,  they are genetically linked and so both might suffer from severe depression.  
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
   I do agree with Mark on this.  As I said, Acupuncture might offer a short term release from tension, it will not treat the problem.  It might only offer a brief "feel good" time, which she might need.  Of course, a good massage might do the same thing.
Helpful - 0
5914096 tn?1399918987
Unless you get a handle on why your grand daughter is depressed, any treatment other than counseling is meaningless and a waste of time.  Focus on the counseling because this is where the origin of her depression can be found.  If you feel the therapist to be ineffective, perhaps you should consider a different one.  But do not stray from one meaningless treatment to another as your grand daughter's depression will worsen.
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189897 tn?1441126518
COMMUNITY LEADER
     I have found (personally) that acupuncture helps with anxiety.  Its probably worth trying as a short term help while they try to figure out the cause of all of this.   But, I would make really sure she understands what is going to happen, and that you find a really good person for the acupuncture.   Then make sure this person is well briefed as to her problems.  
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