lbj,
Thank you for the hugs and validation
you already know, but having a kiddo with mental health challenges can be a lonely path.
Daughter was originally prescribed prozac inpatient by a pdoc and her primary care provider then managed the prozac until just recently when daughter's symptoms began to escalate. We have had a few pdoc appts over the 1.5 year of major struggled, but I would cancel them because at the time of appt. d would be stable and I would think that this time we've got it all figured out... .
Daughter does cut- always with reason, never just to cut. She does like to see the blood. Has never required medical attention for cuts.
She has seen a total of 4 outpatient therapists, initially for anxiety concerning friendships, then add in school anxiety. Depression symptoms increased, cutting began, changed therapists so we could be in a clinic that offered dbt, six months later, invited into dbt program which led to a therapist change and started round one (16 weeks of adolescent dbt). Daughter was somewhat on board with group therapy (it felt good to be with other kids that understood the struggle), though had several weeks where she checked out of learning skills while she struggled to merely cope. As a parent, I attended as well and gained here and there. First 16 weeks ended and daughter made another therapist switch to a different dbt therapist. Daughter decided to repeat dbt and we just finished that 16 week course. She will continue to meet weekly with current therapist.
I am also in an adult dbt group. Comparing the two shows me that the adolescent group barely skimmed the surface of dbt and never truly dug into the important emotional regulation skills that d so desperately needs.
Daughter has an IEP at school (EBD) and part of her plan includes weekly visits with school social worker. Social worker called last week to let me know d was refusing to meet. SW also shared that d has been opposed to discussing issues or practicing/role playing her issues using dbt skills. Felt d was "resisting" treatment/help. I spoke with her current therapist and she agreed that d knows how to work a session so she doesn't have to "get messy". I talked with d about it and I think I understand her to be saying that when she talks about "stuff" and she is feeling ok-good, she ends up feeling upset, reliving those negative thoughts and feelings and feels bad all over again. I shared with therapist my thoughts about d's BPD traits. Could therapy be approached differently? I asked.
D is willing to see pdoc today, though she hates repeating over and over her story, struggled etc. D has commented a few times "something is really wrong with me" as well as stating that she is worried about herself.
Oh, I love that girl- to see her feeling strong and confident and unafraid would be beautiful
Thanks for reading
Amy
