Could it just be hormones

[Welshy123]

I have a daughter who will be 11 next week. For most of her time in year 5 she di not enjoy school. she was bullied at the beginning. Then she got over that but during yr 5 she would just have really bad down/ sad times. She didn't know why she even talked about being dead.
She was referred to SENCO (learning mentor) and they helped her turn herslf round.
Since she has been in year 6 she has been a different person and her teacher and us are so proad. That was until easter. We had a lovley half term and then she went back to school. She is again having SAD times and just starts crying and doesn't know why. She came home the other day and said she had cut herself with her ruler as it helped her when she was stressed or angry. She also digs her nails in the arms and legs, She sais this helps her calm down.
She has started her periods a few months ago and is coping very well
until now.
We are at our wits end and don't know how to help her. It is now affecting her friendships at school as I think they are feedup with her being sad all the time.
Do you think this is just a hormone thing is so how can we make things eaiser for her.
Thank you in advance.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

My DD hasn’t started her periods yet so I’m not sure if I can help much OP. Has she seen a GP and Hace they checked her hormone levels?

I used to have horrific PMS and one thing that really helped me was a calcium supplement which was recommended st the PMS clinic at our hospital. If she doesn’t take Vit D and calcium daily, I’d start giving it to her.

When she feels like this, exercise is probably the last thing on her mind but does she do much! If not, could you do some together like go swimming, learn rock climbing or do Zumba together?

Does she have many hobbies outside of school too? I find this helps my DD and occupies her mind too.

As for the cutting, have a read of Helping Ttens Who Cut

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sorry about the typos and random explanation marks