When "mental illness" replaced "crazy," it was thought to be a big step forward. But as I have told many, many people, if anyone referred to me as mentally ill - and I do have major depression, as did my mother and now my daughter, too - I would beat them to a pulp! Depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic attacks are all illnesses that respond to medication, and more and more doctors and other experts now make a point of calling them physical illnesses or medical illnesses.

And, because they are capable of changing thought patterns and perceptions, therapy is an excellent way to beat the bad habits developed over time. One such bad habit is low self-esteem! Many people still associate "psychotherapy" with deep endless delving into the past and restructuring the personality. But CBT is strictly problem-oriented and time limited.

I think the best thing you could do for your kids is to encourage them to become amateur experts in their illness. Go to www.familyaware.com (Families for Depression Awareness) and take a look at their latest guide for teenagers before you forward it to the kids. I'm pretty sure they have some suggested reading there as well. The more one knows about these illnesses, the less scary, inevitable, and stigmatized they become.

You say they see a psychiatrist (v. few do therapy anymore), but do you sit in on their appts for a few minutes? This is v. important since few people with any of these problems are totally honest and forthright when talking to their doctors. if they are still having problems, perhaps the dosage needs adjusting or the medication they're taking isn't the correct one for them and needs changing.