My 13 year old took tablets

[Zombieof3]

Hi everyone,

I will try to make this as short as I can, I have zero idea on what to do anymore. I feel like such a failure. My daughter took an intentional overdose on my antidepressants a few months ago, since then she has been attending counselling, all medication is locked up and I’m trying to get her to open up to me but I’m failing, I’m so scared I’m going to lose her, I wish I could be better.

Today, I went into her room and found empty tablets which are not mine, I have never seen these tablets before in my life. She stated that she found them outside and that there was only one tablet which she took, I have found out that these are for erectile dysfunction! I don’t believe that she found these on the floor but I don’t know where she got them and she won’t tell me. I’m going to inform the school and counsellor but what can I do. I’m so lost and feel like such an awful mum.

Can you look at her phone to see what she may be looking at?

I check her phone every night, and whilst I’m aware that she can get past certain things, I can’t see anything alarming. I’m tempted to ban the phone completely but then I risk isolating her and her turning more away from me.

You need to take her to A&E you don't know how much she has taken of this medication and what else she has taken. This will also get her an urgent MH review by CAMHS. She might find it easier to open up to someone else.

It’s been a week since she took them and she only took one tablet, I think she’s out of the danger period but I will be contacting gp to seek advice today anyway so if they advise a and e, I’ll go down

Counselling is great but is she receiving/waiting for any actual mental health input?

Do you have any support, where's her Dad, any other family?

It feels like you need some advice. Young Minds have a helpline.

Have you spoken to school?

She was seen by A&E when she last took an overdose and had a review at which time they stated she didn’t need anything further. I’m on the phone to 111 now to see what they advise. I’m so exhausted and I just don’t know what to do anymore. I just want her to realise how amazing she is, how special she is us and how much she is loved but she just doesn’t see it in herself. I’m now having to take the day off work to discuss this with everyone that needs to be involved, it’s absolutely draining in every way and I just don’t know where I am going wrong.

Her step dad is great and is supporting us both. Other than that there is no support and I’m just at a loss.

I only found out yesterday, so I’ll speak to the school and councillor today. I’m on the phone to 111 now to seek advice xx

The book 'Never Let Go' is excellent, along with the Facebook group 'Parenting Mental Health '. I don't want to scare you, but there is little to no help available from the NHS. There are so many thousands of us parenting kids through these times and challenges. It is really hard, and it's a long journey.

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful OP but are you sure she doesn't have a second phone?

I'm not saying that to worry you further just to be realistic.

Thank you, I’ll take a look. I don’t know what I can do as she just won’t open up to me. I’ve always tried to be approachable but clearly I’m not. I just feel so broken. I’ve requested to join the Facebook group as well.

The GP appointment was rubbish, offered nothing in terms of additional support

she definitely doesn’t have a second phone, whether she could be deleting history and messages on her phone that is more likely xx

The only way to get them to open up is to stop asking! Totally counter-intuitive, but very very effective. They can't actually articulate how they feel - they are a mess of emotions, feelings and hormones, including lots of guilt for how they are affecting us. The book is really helpful - I promise!