Teenager Attemp Suicide

My daughter was 14 when she attempted suicide and to be honest it went down hill from there. She ended up in a behavior modification facility. When she attempted suicide it was a cry for help, she didn't want to die. We tried counciling and didn't find a anyone who she really connected with. I was afraid for her safety so we put her in the treatment facility where she was monitered and had therapy every week. She came home a changed young women. It was a very difficult time in my life.

UNM has a very good mental health department, you may want to start there, and get any ideas from them what methods may work, or even give you the help you need themselves. This is a very touchy suject, and my heart goes out to you for your struggle, and his. If UNM can't help, they can lead you in the right direction. Please don't forget, it may not cure anything, but a hug and an I love you goes a long way.

hi A., i'm brand new to this group so bear with me. i've gone thru so much with my 15 year old, thank God that his 'legal father' finally woke up and decided to help out.
my son never attemped suicide, but he came to hurting others. we found out that certain meds for bipolar and other mood disorders were causing more harm than good. (i think it was paxil or prozac). we have a wonderful doctor now, let me know if you'd like his contact info.

Hi A.,
I wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers. I am sorry that you and your son are going through this. Have they tried maybe switching medication or have you tried maybe a mentor? not sure if that helps and I am sure those are options you have already thought of.
S.

Hi,
Sorry about what you are going through (your boy and yourself).
You might want to have another opinion and want to contact another Dr. Her name is Dr. Aletha Solter. She is a psychologist and a writer. She can do consultation on the phone ($60 per hour). She has awebsite which is: www.awareparenting.com
She is specialised in babies and pre-teen but I am sure she can help. Send her an email (she is responsive) and ask her if she can help. TRY.

Hope that will help you at least a little.
Good Luck

M.

A.,
My heart goes out to you. I have an 18 year old. He had a tough time when he was that age. He ended up finding a circle of friends that were accepting of him and a positive influence on him. He met them in a youth group. Does your son have any friends that he trusts? Maybe you can keep them involved and organize some "self esteem"-building activities. Like climbing a 14-er together(an easy one, supervised, of course) or rock climbing(indoors or out). Whether or not you are religious, a youth group might be a way for him to get out, meet some good kids that are friendly and positive and accepting. The activities they do together definitely focuses on self esteem and self love. Good luck and good for you for reaching out! You are a good mom!

Hi there! I am not sure if I fully understand your question...but I would reccomend that you take his situation VERY SERIOUSLY. Quitting meds for bipolar disorder can cause some difficult and sometimes very serious side effects, including suicide. It is so tough being a teenager these days anyhow, and suffering with a disorder such as this can compound it a trillion times over. I have the utmost faith that he will be ok and that your family will be stronger and better after getting through all of these, but please be sure to take him and his feelings/actions very seriously. If you need any support, please don't hesitate to e-mail me! Also, let your son know that there are lots of people out there who are incredibly supportive of him. Like us! :-) Good luck!!!

I'm so sorry that your family is going through this. It sounds to me like your doing everything that you can for your son. I hope your making sure that the rest of the family including yourself is getting the help and support you need. This will help keep your family strong and therefore also help your son.

First off, I was a bi-polar teen with suicidal tendencies. There were many things in my life that I just could not deal with, particularly at school. A lot of bipolar meds are actually worse than the highs and lows, mostly because you don't get the highs at all and then everything either feels like a low or like you are so increadibly tuned out that you feel nothing. The BEST thing is to channel it all into creative endeavors (like writing or painting during the "blue" period). Also, though he would never tell you, are there problems at school? Maybe suggesting letting him attend somewhere else? He's already going to feel wierd and left out because he's going to a therapist, and he's likely "blocked off" from you, but maybe if you get someone like older bro or a trusted male to talk with him in a casual way (i.e. at a ball game or something) he'll open up. And, as the middle child, if he still tolerates Mom, maybe have some special lunches and go to the movies or something with him. I know it seems like it is all the "disorder", but truely suicide attempts are not usually due to bi-polar disorder, it's usually much more.

(BTW, I have a long history of the disorder in the family as well, and tha majority of us turned out normal and functional.)

hi A. i dont know about teenage bi polar, but my boyfriend is bi polar and i know that when he was put on paxil it made him very violent, he's now on valproic acid and depakote but they make getting motivated very hard for him, have faith in the doctors and keep a carefull watch on him, for side effects of the meds, dont be afraid to ask for help when you feel you are reaching your limit it doesn't mean you love him less. hang in there.

A.,

I'm so sorry to hear of the distress that is occuring in your family right now. One of my friends has a daughter who was becoming suicidal. She visited a great doctor, Dr. Jorge Cochran, who not only utilizes traditional medicine, but also accesses the benefits of naturopathic cures. She felt that this was a great balance for her situation. Perhaps it would help with yours. Here is the link to his website: www.DrCochran.meta-ehealth.com

God bless you and your sons.

R.

Hi. I have a 4 y/o with bipolar. Call his doctor. If you can't get ahold of him/her take him to the ER. Get him admited to get the help that he needs.

Hi A., I have a 15yr old that is a self hurt. I had to put her in the hospital in a mental ward for youth for the month of January. I don't really have much advice or know much about bipolar I do want you to know you are not alone out their. I felt so alone with my daughter problems I didn't have anyone to talk with about them or someone to listen to even try to brain storm on how to try to fix it. Form one parent to other I know teens are very hard. If you need anything you can contact me. K.

A.,

My heart goes out to you! First of all, if your son is attempting suicide, he needs professional help immediately. Bi-polar disorders are very difficult to diagnose and help. Some meds work better than others for individuals who have bi-polar problems. Your son may have to try different meds for awhile and it will seem like a roller coaster ride. He needs to be observed by a good team of counselors and doctors. Your son's counselors should also teach him relaxation skills (in order to deal with stress) that he can do at home once he has been released from observation; discuss how to chart his mood swings (you can help with this too); discuss how to keep a journal; discuss positive outlets such as sports activities or creative activities such as the arts (music or painting). You should also ask questions on how the counselors can help you cope; what to look for when medications aren't working for your son; or how to help your son cope with stress. Often sleep cycles can disturb teens with bi-polar problems. Let your son know that taking medications that work for him, eating healthy food, charting his mood states, and having a good nights rest will help him manage his health better.

I hope that this helps!

A. D.

First check the side effects of the medication. There are many meds that treat this condition but the side effect is increased tendancy for suicide. do some research online. I know someone who was on one of these drugs and the doctor never told anyone this was a possible side effect till it she had attempted suicide. She was on Celexa. go check out this website.
http://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/Treating_Depression/...

Good luck I know this is hard on the entire family. Especially moms who want to protect their children. I am a mother of 3 and have several family members that are bi-polar.

Hi.

First I'm sorry. It's had but you need to stay strong. I went through this my self. What you need to do is get him into a group with friends not dr's counclers. BUT FRIENDS. That is what he needs the most is some he can talk to and not be judged. Sports, actives, ymca. things like that.
It helps. REALLY it does. I survied. :)

A.,

I am so sorry you are going through this. My suggestion would be to have him see a Chiropractor to help with his mood disorder. Sometimes you can take your child off meds for ADD and depression once the subluxations in the spine are corrected. Using the chiropractor along with his counselor and Dr. can help. You will need to find a VERY experienced Chiro that works with mood disorders, not just the standard chiro that does the snap, crackle, pop. Be sure to ask the practice if they help with mood disorders. Good luck!