Hello everyone,

It has been a while since I have updated all of you.. I thought for awhile that her pdoc had Bridgette moving in the right direction but in the past 30 days she has completely done a 180 degree turn for the worst. Her dr. re-evaluated her and said she was no longer bi-polar because she was not showing any "highs" just lows and that she was just severly depressed from years of physical and emotional abuse from her mother. They took her off her bipolar meds (lithium) and put her on medication for depression only. They weaned her off the lithium so she didn't go through withdrawls. It has been approx. 60 days that she hasn't been on any lithium at all. She has cut off all her hair, dyed it purple, dresses all in black, claims she is a lesbian now, has cut herself twice in 30 days and tried to commit suicide by taking a handful of medication. She was admitted to the local hospital for 48 hour watch and then released to us, we had an emergency meeting with her pdoc and her therapist the day after she was released from the hospital neither one felt that she was a harm to herself or others... WHAT?? She had tried to kill herself, how do they determine she isn't a threat to herself?? Yesterday she cut herself at school, her pdoc called and told my husband basically nothing except for us NOT to take her to inpatient and that she would have her therapist call us today.. What the hell???? I am worried because the next time she tries something on herself could be the last. I am currently waiting on a phone call from her therapist to see what she thinks we should do. I am totally in a foreign place that I have never been before. I ache for Bridgette to get the help she needs, I literally feel her confusion and pain. She no longer cares about school or herself and I HATE NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING!!!! I wonder if the diagnosis was right all along and she is bipolar, or possibly something else is going on.. I for once do not have a clue as to what to do.. Any suggestions would be appreciated, I am currently searching for other places to take her because I feel her current pdoc doesn't have a clue as to what she is doing or what is going on with Bridgette.

Thanks,

Jen

Jen

Definately get her to another place. Perferably inpatient as soon
as possible. I personally believe the symptoms you have stated
can be Bi-polar. But they could also be from the Lithuim withdrawal.

But I would definately get her to another doctor immediately.

Donna

Jen

How are things going? Let us know.

Donna

I hear your pain quite well with regards to Bridget. You are the one that knows best, and her doctors are not doing enough to help her situation. To say that she is not a danger to herself is not right. Her attemps, and cutting indicates a real problem that should be handled, so that she may have a normal life oneday again. You are going to have to be more assertive when talking to her doctors. Do not take no for an answer, or blindly submit to some one hour therapy with a psych. You need to state your worries very bluntly to these people who are treating your daughter. Call the emergency hot line for more help if you have to. Perhaps that agency for emergencies can better direct you to the care she needs. There is also a national emergency hot line, that may further direct you to the proper doctors who can help. If her current medications, and her current therapy is not working or making her worse, change doctors, and fight for help. Even your primary care specialist would be a source of information. Please feel free to post here anytime you need support. There will be others who will try to help you too. I would be scared if she were my child too. I would beat down doors if I had to, to get the help she needs and deserves. Purple hair, and dressing in black are not so different from what other teens go through. My one boy sported an orange mohawk, wore his pants to his knees, and had multipal body piercings. Today he is in the Navy for life, a good rank, and one child with one on the way. So That would not be my first worry. Self injury is a worry, and attempted suicide, and your own instincts are telling you that this is serious. I hope that you reach out in your community for better help. I wish you all the best for a good solution and the right kind of therapy for Bridget. We at Neuro Talk will be here for you. ginnie

I'm so very sorry.
What the others have said sounds about right to me.
You should take this all very seriously (I'm going to use this word repeatedly)
Discuss seriously with the doctor about hospitalizing her.
And seriously consider getting a second opinion.