There are studies showing that fish oils can be effective in stopping or reducing depression in

children.  The fish oil should have at least 400 mg EPA and 200 mg DHA.  Some brands flavor their fish oils with strawberry flavoring which more kids prefer.  A good multi-vitamin that contains chromium and zinc would be helpful as well according to studies on depression.  I would try these before going with the lithium.

Denise Clark, ND, Wash. State License #1134

Hi , thi is Carole a homeopath, i agree with Denise - that maybe a natural therapy would help - as depression and mood swings  can be caused by  many different factors even foods and  situations at school.  Enumbers can cause mood swings wich are part of depression  and also milk/dairy  allergies.  Lithium, even if it is natural, wont get to the actual cause and allow you r son to find out and understand in himself what is going on.   

I would suggest you try a homeopath as the actual process of a homeopathic consultaions are often very therapeutic and then the remedy will help to continue this process.  Yo may find there is a dramatic improvement in your sons well being after one or two consultations.

Hello - Denise here.  I am not a natural health specialist but would suggest you also try Mike Brescia's tapes which he presents in his Think Right Now Series.   These specialist tapes work on alpha waves and you will get a full explanation on them, I dont know what else you have tried but would recommend some kind of therapy to get to the root cause of the depression and receive an actual diagnosis of you can determine whether medication is the solution or talking, or both.