Hi all, I'm new to Mumsnet, have joined specifically because of this problem. I've already posted this on the teen forum and got some helpful responses, but someone suggested I post here too, so here I am.
Over the past few months, my daughter has developed progressively volatile mood swings, to the point where she is sometimes so anxious she is unable to attend school or even leave the house. She screams, she weeps, she howls...for hours on end. Sometimes the focus is clothing (can't decide what to wear, hates herself in everything) but the slightest thing will set her off ('you didn't wake me in time!') It is a more generalised disorder than BDD (body dysmorphia) but that is clearly an element. She is slim and pretty (and no, I am not being biased here!), she has a boyfriend and plenty of friends ? though she has massive fallings-out on a regular basis. She is intelligent and creative but lacks confidence. The main problem is, she absolutely refuses to take any kind of anti-depressant, or to see a psychiatrist or other therapist. Her school attendance is hovering around the 50% mark. There is a hormonal element I think (it's worse when she's menstruating) and she has at last agreed to go on the pill, so I'm hoping that will help a bit. But that won't be enough. I work from home, but recently I haven't been able to work at all, because whole days are eaten up with trying to calm/counsel her, even though I don't want to, nor do I feel qualified to do so. An Outreach team is supposed to be coming to us next week, but I'm dreading her reaction to this. Has anyone else overcome anything like this?