Hi, all. I'm coming here for your thoughts on my situation:

My 14yr daughter overdosed on tylenol last weekend in a suicide attempt. She was admitted to the ER, treated medically, then moved to psychiatric hospital for evaluation. After only 32 hours in the psych hospital, the medical team has made a determination that medication is a preferable approach.

You should know that she exhibited no signs of depression (she's an honor student, on the swim team, in the drama club, hangs with friends...no usual signs that parents are cautioned to look for); the doctors also said that when they observe her interacting with the peers in the hospital, she smiles, laughs, makes friendships, shares during group, and also doesn't exhibit any depression (such as withdrawal, disinterest in people, etc). However, when they speak with her she says that she's still sad inside and has no desire to live. Confusing for all parties, to say the least.

My concern is that it might not be safe to try to chemically alter a teenager's brain when it's still developing. I would prefer some intense therapy (both individual and family) over the medication. I'm also concerned that I might be forced to medicate her should they decide it's "in her best interest." Thoughts?

Hello there! I'm a 17 girl. At 14 I was diagnosed with depression and at 15 with anxiety and OCD. I also had NO reason at all to be as depressed as I was. I was miserable and there was no reason for it. I had good friends, good grades, good life at home, my parents are together and I was very close with them. I had no idea why I was SOOOO unhappy. I didn't see "the point in life". I felt pathetic because I thought '"why am I depressed I have no reason to be, compared to most I have a 'perfect' life." At 15 I would suffer complete breakdowns, I couldn't do anything I would have endless panic attacks and I didn't want to carry on with life anymore. I couldn't attend school for months and I couldn't eat or sleep. I was scared of life! At 15 I was diagnosed with a spine condition (scoliosis) and by 16 I was almost crippled by it. I was diagnosed at 17 with a neurological disorder where my muscles are constantly fighting with my brain (the easiest way to describe it would be an almost constant conscious seizure) the kind I have is VERY rare and occurs in the UK at 1 in 2.4 million. This condition is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain called Dopamine. I also have a chemical imbalance in my Serotonin (WHICH CAUSES DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, OCD & MANY MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS). My chemical imbalance caused my depression, OCD, etc.

That is my story! Sorry it was long but what I'm saying is a chemical imbalance in any chemical (especially Serotonin) is very common and the only thing that can fix it sometimes is medication! I am on Sertraline (in the US I think its known as Zoloft?) When I am not on Sertraline I go into breakdown mode again and cannot cope and everyone says I'm not myself. When I am on my medication I am my old happy self full of life and I am such a different person I couldn't be happier. I notice a real difference anti-depressants has made on my life.

I am not in anyway saying your daughter could have a Dopamine imbalance though because it is EXTREMELY rare (it is related to Parkinsons disease, the condition I have is called Dopa-Responsive Dystonia VERY rare similar to Parkinsons disease and almost never found in a child, 1 in 2.4 million will have in the UK (20 known cases) and I am the only under 18). And like I said I'm 17 I'm still a child myself!

I think you should consider your daughter may have a chemical imbalance (ITS NOTHING SERIOUS AT ALL AND IS SIMPLY TREATED WITH ANTI-DEPRESSANTS SOMETHING A LOT OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD TAKE!). Try and stay positive at this very hard time!

Greeneyes

Your story is very interesting, but its very true that a chemical imbalance is hard to diagnosis. And many teens have one.

And that medication is honestly the only way to help it.

Donna

Diet......another method of handling chemical imbalance.

Hey there!
I'm a 16 year old girl. I was put on medication when I was 14. I suffer from a mood disorder, anxiety, depression, and major sucidal thoughts and cutting. I tried to commit sucide once. They put me on meds when I was 14 and as of right now I am on 1200 mg of lithium, 45 mg of abilify, 50 mg of seriquil, and 100 of welbutrine. That's a lot of medication, and I'm still feeling depressed and suicidial. I would suggest that she does therapy and family therapy. And then if and only if she still feels down to put her on it. I was also put into Dominion Hospital 5 different times in the span of one year. Maybe. And I was put into a place called Leland house and was there for two months. Leland house helped but now my depression is coming back. And it sucks. Nothing is heping me. I hope you find something that will help your daughter

Do you mind sharing a little about what helped you in Leland house?

My son been on setriline since he was twelve he is fourteen now he suffers ocd/tourettes/anxiety and newly diagnosed adhd which will be shortly starting more med for.He has managed well with the medication .He also has some times of depression.If your worried about her getting the med to attempt suicide keep her med close to you and lock other meds up.Kids are good at pretending all is well when inside they are hurting.Try keep talking to her and reassuring her.hugsx