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

1 2

Original poster

My 12 year old took an overdose

39 replies

elliejjtiny · 22/02/2021 13:21

I don't know why, it's totally out of the blue. He threw up this morning and said he had a headache and I just thought it was a migraine, then school phoned and said he'd e-mailed his friend to say he wanted to die. I got dh to talk to him and he immediately spotted he had taken something. They've gone to a and e and I'm just trying to keep it together for the other dc.

OP posts:

RJnomore1 · 22/02/2021 13:27

Massive hugs, I’ve been there with my oldest although she was older at the time.

Weirdfan · 22/02/2021 13:35

Here for handholding if it helps at all OP, sending unmumsnetty hugs

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 22/02/2021 13:46

Thankyou. I just don't know why and I'm so scared. He's only 12.

OP posts:

tuttifuckinfruity · 22/02/2021 13:48

Your poor boy. Things are in motion now, get to the bottom of it and see what needs to be done.

Lots of love to you all

Noregrets78 · 22/02/2021 15:58

Thinking of you

Gooseygoosey12345 · 22/02/2021 16:02

Offering a handhold! I can't imagine how you feel. Thinking of you all

HollowTalk · 22/02/2021 16:03

That's so frightening for you all. I hope he's OK and gets some help.

bearlyactive · 22/02/2021 16:03

Sending hugs and best wishes to you all

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 22/02/2021 18:46

Thankyou. I'm not allowed in because of covid. DH brought him in so he has to be the nominated visitor. I managed to get his favourite cuddly toy to him though. He's in hdu covered in wires but off the oxygen now.

OP posts:

RandomMess · 22/02/2021 18:48

Huge hugs x

Sparkletastic · 22/02/2021 19:04

I'm so sorry. My 14 year old did the same recently. Get onto your GP for support and an urgent CAMHs referral.

AngelDelightUK · 22/02/2021 19:24

Oh goodness sending love. Did he take something at school?

I hope he’s ok

typicalvalues · 22/02/2021 19:26

Oh crap, what medication did he take as some are more lethal than others? Hopefully they've got him in time.

typicalvalues · 22/02/2021 19:29

Do you know when he took the overdose? If it was this morning, he might have vomited some of it up. Why is he in HDU? Heart issues?

converseandjeans · 22/02/2021 19:32

That's awful. The kids are having a horrible time. Was he in school today? I hope he'll be ok

freckles20 · 22/02/2021 19:33

Hugs OP. I'm so sorry this has happened. Can anyone in RL be with you? Covid rules do not apply in situations such as this.

LastRoloIsMine · 22/02/2021 19:33

My son was 13 when he first attempted suicide. I really do know what you are going through.

What I will say 5 years later is dont make this all about you. I did. I felt immediate guilt, fear that I had failed and my children would be taken away from me.

My son was as it turns out so overwhelmed with anxiety he could only see 1 way out. He wasn't bullied or abused or had a bad home life. For him life itself was just too much for him to cope with. Once I knew this we were able to get him the right support and although we had many years of ups and downs he has reached 18 and is now happier alive.

Don't blame yourself dont focus on blame just focus on supporting him. Xx

Twillow · 22/02/2021 19:34

Thank goodness he told a friend and that friend had the good sense to let someone know.
Have been through attempts with both my children, one almost the same age (in their case the result of childhood trauma due to DA - it leaves its scars even after you escape). It is so devastatingly sad. My thoughts are with you all.

Blue2021 · 22/02/2021 19:35

Aww OP I’m so sorry. Your poor baby boy! Sending a handhold. Wishing your boy all the luck in the world to overcome this. Sending you all lots of love xx

enjoyingscience · 22/02/2021 19:35

Oh your poor boy. I hope he’s ok.

My DS1 is the same age and I sometimes look at his class WhatsApp in despair. They’re so young and life seems so complicated sometimes.

gottakeeponmovin · 22/02/2021 19:36

That's awful op sending hugs ❤️

Toasty280 · 22/02/2021 19:37

Hoping he's ok, I'm glad his friend was able to say something x

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 22/02/2021 19:38

Thankyou everyone. He took 300mg of amitriptyline which dh takes for insomnia. I feel so stupid for not locking the tablets away. We keep them in a cabinet high up with a child proof lock to keep them away from the little ones but didn't think about the 12 year old who is taller than me and can open child proof stuff.

OP posts:

KarenMarlow3 · 22/02/2021 19:38

What an awful thing to happen, it's not just your son but he has to be the focus. He needs specialist help, and I hope he can access all the support he needs once he has recovered.

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 22/02/2021 19:50

Cross posted to say that hdu is because they want to monitor his heart for 24 hours while he is so deeply asleep. His friend wanted to remain anonymous but I have asked the head of pastoral care to thank him/her and tell them we are so grateful for what they did. Head of pastoral care said she would.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2