Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Child mental health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

17 year old teen diagnosed with depression, self harms and has taken overdoses, parent seeking advice

18 replies

Teen17mum · 09/12/2013 22:53

Hi,

I've just joined this site hoping that someone might be in a similar situation and could possibly offer some advice. My 17 year old teenager has been suffering from depression for about 2 years now. Currently taking anti depressants and self harms, has taken 2 overdoses this year. As a parent I'm at a loss as to what to do or how to handle it, any advice?

OP posts:

clio51 · 09/12/2013 23:02

Is your child being seen by the mental health team?
Ad is she having any therapy?

TheOriginalNutcracker · 09/12/2013 23:06

Hi, I have a 14yr old dd who has all of the above, plus an eating disorder.

Is your dd/ds seeing anyone about her illness ??

It is very hard as a parent to watch them go through all of this. For a long time I was walking on eggshells and daren't relax incase dd did something, but now I know the signs more, and dd is getting some help, things are a little better.

Original poster

Teen17mum · 09/12/2013 23:06

Hi,

Thank you for replying. Yes she has seen the mental health team for the past year or so, she was in a mental hospital for about a week but I took her out and brought her home (thought I could cope with it myself). She saw psychologists 2-3 times a week but this has now decreased to once every couple of months. Her last overdose was a week ago but the psychiatrist said she was free to go as they didn't consider she was a risk to herself. I don't understand this at all.

OP posts:

Original poster

Teen17mum · 09/12/2013 23:10

Hi, I'm sorry to hear your 14 year old is going through the same, it's so hard to know what to do. My daughter improved for a while and I really thought it had turned around then it suddenly went downhill again. I'm so glad I've found this forum so I can read other peoples experience and hopefully find some information in ways to handle it.

OP posts:

clio51 · 09/12/2013 23:20

Do you know why she is doing this to herself and why she is depressed?
Is she open with you? At that age it's hard to know what's going through there head it obviously something is?

So have they upped her visits since the overdose?
Hat about her meds as she had them reviewed lately?

Original poster

Teen17mum · 09/12/2013 23:26

It's not quite clear what the trigger was but it seems to go back to a couple of years ago when she was under extreme exam pressure, the pressure was heightened by her dad, he's very strict. Yes she's quite open with me, it's difficult to know if they're telling you everything but she's open about a lot of it. She had her meds reviewed just before the od with a view to trying another or increasing them, under the age of 18 it's somewhat limited as to what they can do apparently. The hospital made an appt with the psychiatrist after the od but that's been it really.

OP posts:

scarlettsmummy2 · 09/12/2013 23:28

I don't know much about mental health services, however, I do know that Barnardos offer lots of one to one support services for children who are vulnerable. Might be worth also giving them a call to see what services they provide and take a more holistic approach.

Original poster

Teen17mum · 09/12/2013 23:30

Thank you, much appreciated, I will let her know about banardo's.

OP posts:

scarlettsmummy2 · 09/12/2013 23:34

There are lots of other mental health charities too that probably offer groups she could attend. You could look up your local voluntary action groups listings. Hope she gets better soon.

Original poster

Teen17mum · 09/12/2013 23:36

Thank you I will look into that also.

OP posts:

scarlettsmummy2 · 09/12/2013 23:37

They could probably offer you support too. X

clio51 · 09/12/2013 23:44

I would of thought after od that to me is crisis! Does she have a support worker or cpn that comes to visit her? Really think the crisis team should be doing extra visits with her.

Does she see a phychologist? Do any therapy intervals or psychotherapy?

Sometimes you really have to push for help! They are that over stretched you just get lost in the system, make sure this doesn't happen to you dd
I don't really know about the limitations of child mental health just know from my own.

Original poster

Teen17mum · 10/12/2013 07:15

Well both times she has taken tablets she's been lucky, it's not been enough to cause any damage, she sees the hospital psychiatrist after and their assessment has been that she's not a danger to herself. I don't quite know what someone would have to do to be considered a risk.

Yes she has therapy appointments but I suspect she misses some of these. I used to have appts there too to discuss her health but I can no longer manage as my new job is a lot more hours and I can't take time off.

I'm not sure what cpn means? Or dd / ds? Sorry, I've just joined this site so I'm not familiar with the terminology yet.

OP posts:

clio51 · 10/12/2013 09:59

Cpn is community physcharic nurse
Dd I'd dear daughter
Ds is dead son

crazyauntie · 12/12/2013 04:39

Not all ods are related to suicidal thoughts. Smaller odssuch as this one if normally to harm ones self or a cry for help. I would contact camhs and ask about crisis team. Units can make thing worse so I personally wouldnt go down that road. Hope things get better.

3FrenchHenD19s · 12/12/2013 05:10

DS is dear son not dead!

Innismhor · 13/12/2013 12:59

We've been going through the same this year with my daughter who is 18. She's on the mend now but it is taking months and months even with good support.

Just wanted to say you're not alone and offer lots of sympathy and support.

MrsShh · 13/12/2013 13:14

I just wanted to say that she is lucky to have you as her mum. It's great that you are close and she talks to you. Keeping a journal can help identify what triggers a particularly low patch. I suffered from depression as a teenager and came out the other side and did things I never thought I could, so it is possible. I really hope that things work out for you all, don't give up. xx

Flip