Help! DS (12) has just taken overdose!

[BoffinMum]

I am just leaving London to go home. DS2 just rang me to say he had taken an overdose. AP has managed to get into the bathroom and is sitting with him, I have phoned ambulance etc. Currently on train not knowing what the hell is happening, and very shaky. On my way to meet them at hospital but won't be there for over an hour.

Oh you poor thing.

Has his behaviour been any different lately?

The fact that he rang you is very telling, just a cry for help and you're the one he can turn to.

I hope everything is going to be okay

((( BoffinMum ))) It must be very hard to be so far away time-wise.

Thinking of you. It's a very difficult time. My DB took an overdose when he was 15 (he is now ok), and it was a horrible, confusing time for everyone (especially him).

I hope your DS is ok and that, although an awful way to get to this point, it will a chance for him to get help

It is a cry for help, like Nursey says. Poor you :(

When I was 14 I did this and I've never quite forgiven myself for the upset I caused my family. It was a cry for help but I wasn't prepared for how much I scared them all.

Perhaps he is struggling with some difficult emotions and he just doesn't know how else to get past them.

Am sure you will give him all the support he needs.

How horrible! What a difficult journey you're having to make. :(
Still, I'm glad he called you and he's getting an ambulance over. I hope they can help him and he gets help for the reasons that have caused him to do this, too.

He has been having MH problems since September but we thought he was getting better. He has been on Fluoxetine for a few months and last week took a week's worth in one go to see if they helped him feel even better. He had to go into hospital overnight. Then we were told to take him off the Fluoxetine for 3 weeks, but last night he started being all depressed again and he just phoned me while I was waiting for the train with a cry for help call. He apparently took lots of Fluoxetine but I don't know how as they are locked up. He apparently also had bleach in there with him. I don;t know what the hell is happening.

thinking of you

I am sitting in this first class train carriage with fat blokes joking about the weather and all I want to do is cry.

Does anyone know anything about MH in kids?? He has been having counselling, NHS were great, very supportive and so on. Then we really thought the medication was making a difference.

Dh has texted and confirmed everything was locked away so I have no idea what to think about all this.

Oh Boffin I really feel for you. I had depression in my early teens and it's only now that I realise how worrying it must have been for my parents.

I went on ADs aged 14 very briefly but what really helped me was my fantastic counsellor.

You mention he has been on fluoxetine - I believe there is some evidence that SSRIs can increase suicidal thoughts in adolescents. It might be worth discussing alternatives.

Will be thinking of you and your poor DS

Oh Boffin you poor thing, and poor DS :(

How long until you'll be home?

Sending you love and support.

I did not know that. He seemed happier until a week ago. What happens now?

It's about 50 minutes until I can get to the hospital.

One step at a time. Just concentrate on getting home. Cry if you want to. Sod the fat businessmen.

Are you being kept informed on what's happening at home?

I think I will cope better if I don't cry. I need to be able to drive properly etc.
I am worried he will have to go into hospital for a long time. The MH facilities around us are very poor for young people. I am worried about the rest of his life being coloured by serious MH problems. Also his brother has an interview for sixth form tomorrow, and i have to go into hospital for an operation on Friday, stress levels are at 100%.

I agree one step at a time. He's with people. He's on his way to hospital he is safe.

We're all holding your hand, BoffinMum.

I have no idea wtf is happening at home but the ambulance people seemed efficient and concerned when I rang.

I thought that fluoxetine was not prescribed to young adults for the reason Jollyb gives, but I am not a doctor (my sister is on that medication, though) so I may be wrong. I would check it out though and I hope he's ok, please take care of yourself - sounds like he will be getting care by now

Proffering a hand to hold, BoffinMum xx

I think we all had to weigh up the risks when they put him on it, but the psychiatrist said that we would know within a few weeks if it was unsuitable, I have no idea why it would be something like 3 or 4 months later.

Ok. So crying isn't going to help. That's fine. This is going to be a tough hour for you but it will pass. Your other DS will be fine. He'll be ok with his interview. Kids are resilient and he'll deal with it and if he feels he won't be able to cope, he can postpone. Don't think about your OP. Sort it after you're clearer about your DS. Focus on his physical health first before worrying about his MH. This will be his rock bottom and he'll get better from this point onwards.

I thought he had his rock bottom last week.