What Can I Do To Help My 14 Year Old Daughter?

[osnapitzkat]

I have a 14 year old daughter that is a troubled teen. She is depressed, and often shuts down and doesn't talk. She locks herself up in her room. Other days she is happy and cheery and we can't get her to stop talking. She hasn't been diagnossed with anything yet, but I believe she is bipolar. She also has PTSD and I've observed that she has stopped eating. She will eat every now and then, but only very little. She has self harmed and been suicidal in the past, but the counselor said she wasn't a danger to herself, so she was never hospitalized. She is still cutting now, and I wouldn't doubt that she is still very suicidal. She's seen many counselors before and none of them have helped. I feel so helpless for her. I just want to get her the help she needs. Should I submit her to the hospital or is there something else I should try first? I don't want to lose her trust!

[pixie373]

Is she under a paediatrician or any other services to help her? If not, I would take her back to the doctor and ask for referral to paediatrician. I think you need to push for more professional help. Is she on antidepressants?

[loulou111]

Have you thought about blood tests?. Her mood swings maybe because she has low iron or a bad diet. You say she has seen many counselors and they have ruled out being a danger to herself, if you are worried then it wouldnt hurt to talk to her teachers at school. They may have some programme at the school that can help with depression. How long has she been depressed?.

[jd_1984]

I agree, push for more professional help.
As a parent the decision here is not easy as submitting her to a hospital or clinic may distress her even more at first. But sometimes a parents love and support is not enough to treat the problem. You say repated counselling has not helped? Some more intense therapy as a resident somewhere may help.
Is she medicated?

[pixie373]

If she is self-harming and possibly suicidal, they are wrong about her not being a danger to herself.
I really sympathise as I am having problems with my 15-yr-old daughter at the moment, although in a different way. And i know how hard it is when you can't control their behaviour and they have little control over it too. I do wish you and your daughter all the best x