suicide attempt

[Think About It...]

Our 19 yr old son made a suicide attempt the day before Thanksgiving.This was the second since Feb. and his third hospitalization since that time.He came home today, so far so good.If anyone remembers any of my old posts about the false accusations----I have good news! Our son wrote his dad a letter in the hosp. and told him he knew it never happened and how sorry he was.He had a superb Dr. that really told him the way it was.The Dr. was also questioning the BPD dx and seems to think this is more of a bipolar problem.Any way you look at it his admission of the lies/delusions is a step but it wont make the illness go away,but I think it took a great weight from our son(and dad).Does anyone have any input or experience with dual dx,and how do you separate them,if possible?            Thank You!   

[ddlink]

Our 19 yr old son made a suicide attempt the day before Thanksgiving.This was the second since Feb. and his third hospitalization since that time.He came home today, so far so good.If anyone remembers any of my old posts about the false accusations----I have good news! Our son wrote his dad a letter in the hosp. and told him he knew it never happened and how sorry he was.He had a superb Dr. that really told him the way it was.The Dr. was also questioning the BPD dx and seems to think this is more of a bipolar problem.Any way you look at it his admission of the lies/delusions is a step but it wont make the illness go away,but I think it took a great weight from our son(and dad).Does anyone have any input or experience with dual dx,and how do you separate them,if possible?            Thank You!   

[momoftwo8589]

Our 19 yr old son made a suicide attempt the day before Thanksgiving.This was the second since Feb. and his third hospitalization since that time.He came home today, so far so good.If anyone remembers any of my old posts about the false accusations----I have good news! Our son wrote his dad a letter in the hosp. and told him he knew it never happened and how sorry he was.He had a superb Dr. that really told him the way it was.The Dr. was also questioning the BPD dx and seems to think this is more of a bipolar problem.Any way you look at it his admission of the lies/delusions is a step but it wont make the illness go away,but I think it took a great weight from our son(and dad).Does anyone have any input or experience with dual dx,and how do you separate them,if possible?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  Thank You?  ?

First, I'm sorry to hear about his attempt, but glad that he is doing better.  Second - my DD is diagnosed as BPD and bi-polar II (along with PTSD and cutting).  As for how to separate them - haven't figured that part out yet.  So far they tend to just treat the symptoms as they appear and work on tweaking the drugs as needed.  Therapy - another big help - if you can get him to go, still struggling with that with DD.  Anyway, not much help I'm sure, but maybe someone else here can offer more. 

[JR]

If anyone remembers any of my old posts about the false accusations----I have good news! Our son wrote his dad a letter in the hosp. and told him he knew it never happened and how sorry he was. He had a superb Dr. that really told him the way it was.

I sure do remember, dd, and hearing of your son's apology and written acknowledgement that his previous allegations were out-of-line is sUper! I'm sure you all feel a ton of weight lifted in that regard, ((ddlink & family)). I imagine it kind of frees up some lingering negative energy that can be realigned to put into helping your son with his troubles. Very happy for all of you on that!

As for dual dx of BPD and BiPolar, I would think it *might* uncomplicate things as far as treatment for your son... Medication has been shown to be sooo helpful for symtoms of biPolar - although finding the right one, dosage, and/or mix can be a grueling and frustrating phase.

Whether your son is suffering from BiPolar or BPD or both, I also would guess at his age (17, right?) that he has developed unhealthy coping 'skills' along with some twisted thinking (the false accusations, for instance) and would benefit immensely from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or - even better - Dialectal Behavioral Therapy to recognize and overcome these detrimental factors.

I'm interested as to what brought the doc (a new one with this hospitalization the past week?) to question the possibility of BPD, dd. Is he suggesting that your son doesn't have BPD, or that he may have both BiPolar aNd BPD?

In any case, what you've shared here sounds like the old Good News/Bad News thing, huh? I'm thinking sometimes things have to go that way, and the Good News will ultimately prevail with you guys.

~ jr

[ddlink]

jr,our son agreed to try DBT before his attempt,he had one session to see if he would be a candidate for this kind of therapy,and he surely was.He is agreeable to giving it a try,he has always been very compliant where therapy is concerned,thank God.The main problem,among others,is impulsivity so hopefully this will help modify that.As far as dx goes he doesnt fit neatly anywhere,though I know that is not uncommon.More frustration.Thanks for your help.

[Abigail]

  Has he ever had mania?  Getting little sleep, tons of energy and feeling invincible and on top of the world?
  At www.biologicalunhappiness.com there is a link on the left that says, BPD, bipolar, or ADHD?  It explains how to tell the difference.
  My husband was diagnosed as BPD and fit 8 out of the 9 criteria.  His therapist told me she thought he was bipolar but my husband has never had mania in the 24 yrs we've been married.  She thought the anger was the mania part.
  One can also have both BPD and bi-polar. But the website I mentioned explains the differences pretty well.
  Abigail

[momoftwo8589]

?  Has he ever had mania?  Getting little sleep, tons of energy and feeling invincible and on top of the world?
?  

Thank you for the link, I will read more on it later.  My DD also has the two diagnoses - but I have never agreed with the bi-polar - she is NEVER high - only lesser and greater stages of low.  She sleeps constantly.  Never has energy.  Yet the docs keep treating the bi-polar diagnosis and not really relating to the BPD diagnosis. 

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[ddlink]

My S has shown no signs of mania,however the Dr. thinks that perhaps most of his lies(making himself look better etc.)may be a form of grandiosity.I am not convinced.It is one more thing to explore.He started DBT today and has an appt. with his Dr.,so we will go from here.Thanks.

[Barb0224]

ddlink,

I don't have any experience with dual diagnoses or with bi-polar, but I want you to know that since I read your first post I have been thinking about you.

I do have experience with suicide attempts, and I know how devastating that is.  But as your experience seems to be showing, "with every crisis there is an opportunity."  Our daughter finally got on the right path with the "system" after her last attempt, and we as parents got on the right path to understanding this illness.  It sounds like your son was moved toward the path of starting his recovery. 

I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you.

Barb

[ddlink]

Barb, thanks for the words of care and support.I cant begin to tell you what a difference it makes in my life.Thank you so much,dd