OT--My daughter.. need guidance..support.. LONG post, sorry

NO expereince, just a cyber hug.....

Hi Lisa, I understand exactly where you are coming from. My son is 18 now and is diagnosed Bi Polar. He had trouble all his life. The firsst time I knew it was really bad he was four and he hit me. I know that doesn't sound like much but you understand the anger and uncontrolled nature of that kind of outburst is alot different than a normal four yr old temper tantrum. I think he was 12 for his first pyschiatric hospital stay, and then has had two more addmissions after that. He would hurt himself, burns cuts that kind of thing. He threatened suicide more than once. We had to lock up all the knives, medicines, (My husband had hurt himself and was on some pretty strong pain killers at that point.) I was exhausted for years until he found the right combination of meds to control him and level him off. And that was all I did. You have a very busy schedule on top of trying to help your daughter. Don't worry you will get through it. Like Pam said when it is your kids you find the strength from somewhere. I found too that picking my battles was key to dealing with him. If he didn't want to clean his room, or brush his teeth, etc that was fine. But there was no wiggle room on other things. Like the way he treated me or his step father or siblings.  We had to pick our priorities and stick to them. There is so much and it seems like you are in a constant changing environment and nothing in your life is stable. The one thing that helped my DH and I was finding support. We were getting counseling right along with Quinten, and we found an online support group that we felt saved our lives. I will see if I can find it for you, I don't remember right now the name of it. Hang in there and if you need anything don't hesitate to get ahold of me. I will be praying for you. Belinda

Lisa

Hugs and thoughts for you as you deal with this.

 

arlene 

Thank you all for your support.  We had the appointment at Kidspeace and they said that she qualifies for their partial hospitalization program.  It is a day program from 8am-2:30pm instead of going to school.  It would last between 2 and 4 weeks.  There would be intensive therapy sessions for her, along with family therapy.  I am waiting for her school principal, her pediatrician and her psychologist to call me back; but my gut is telling me to put her in.  This is what she needs at this point in her life.  She will still be home at night and can still participate in some of the things that she is involved in. 

Hey Lisa, you are doing right, being agressive with doing something......not just letting it happen over and over again...I agree with the others about picking your battles....sometimes that is the best. but if you have available to have your daughter get in a program now, do it....right now my son and daughter in their late 20's and early 30's have been diagnosed with bipolar.......wow, both are parents, I only wish when they were your daughters age that they would have had the help available to you....back then it was just..................well, they come from divorce, they're angry, always excuses for their bad behavor.....now they are the parents, and if they don't get their act together another generation will carry on ...................I will pray for  you and you are doing the right thing...................again like Liz said we are only a phone call away or email.........................
Lois

Lisa,

Sending hugs your way!! I don't have the same exact situation but I do have a daughter with Autism and have had different issues. You are doing a great job and as a mother you know best. Kuddos to you for seeking out the help and guidance. I know a lot of parents that choose to keep things the way they are for fear of upsetting the child. I am proud of you for doing all that you can to help your daughter and to help yourself!! 

Best of luck, and whatever you choose, I am sure it is the right choice. You as a mother, know what is best for your child and usually our motherly gut instinct is right.

hi lisa. my daughter was in  lehigh valley hospital for major anxiety depresion in the fall. it was the hardest thing ive ever done. but you need to do whats best for her. its very hard and sad but  you  have to be strong. god bless you .

Thanks again to all of you for the support.  Abby, it was great to finally meet you in person last night!! Who would have thunk that I'd pick the seat right next to you without even knowing who you were. LOL!!

Anyway, update on my daughter....

spoke to the guy from the outpatient area of Kidspeace yesterday.  He said that he talked to the woman in charge of the partial day program and they do not have a spot for Siehara until a week from today.   So, he said that since we had already made an appointment with their psychiatrist for next Wednesday that we should just keep that appointment and see what happens.  He is going to have them hold the spot at the day program for her just in case.  The purpose of the day program is to stabilize her behaviors, so he said that if she is okay between now and next week that we will just go with the outpatient visits and see how that works.  If anything happens between now and then, I am to take her into Muhlenberg and then we will put her in the day program. 

She was overly hyper yesterday, but not aggressive.  I think it was more relief that she didn't have to go with me to the support group and joy that I had already made arrangements with her best friend's mom for her to hang with them while I went to the support group.

Hopefully, we'll get through the next week without incident, but I feel ok knowing that the spot will be there for her if we need it.