Introductuon

[BB_YogaGirl]

I am reaching out during a time of isolation and desperation. I have a teenage daughter that is suffering from what is probably BPD and possibly bipolar. Officially she is diagnosed with MDD and panic disorder. But with traits that overwhelmingly suggest BPD. It's exhausting to be the primary parent and I a, looking for support from parents who understand my story.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[lbjnltx]

Hi BB 

Glad you are here though sorry for what brings you here.  Having a teen with BPD traits amongst other disorders (BPD rarely travels alone  ) is rough to say the least.

My daughter is 19 now and was diagnosed at 12 with emerging BPD. 

How old is your daughter?

[BB_YogaGirl]

My daughter is 17. Depression and anxiety began in middle school. She suffered from status epilepticus when she was a young child and has learning disabilities that have always made school a challenge. Her Depression was first treated with medication about 2.5 years ago. She's failed every medication she has tried r/ t side effects. The BPD symptoms became apparent after reading a book entitled "Walking on Eggshells" about two years ago. She doesn't have the addiction issues but all other traits of BPD. Her counselor suggested the book to me. She has been individual and group therapy for years and this includes DBT. She was hospitalized about a month ago for 5 days for thoughts of suicide (not the first time she's considered but the first time I felt hospitalization was necessary). She is seeng a new psychiatrist because her last one resigned her position. We struggle to find good mental health care in my area.

[lbjnltx]

It is good that you sought help for her early on.

Is she still in DBT?  Do you think it has helped her or does she struggle with the abstract concepts due to her learning disability?

Did something happen a month ago to bring on suicidal ideation or do you think it is the long term depression (which can alter the chemical balance of the brain)?

There are so many obstacles to effective treatment for our kids.  We traveled an hour each way once a week for therapy... .not even DBT as there was none within our reach.  Her T actually studied the concepts through books I purchased for him and we did some workbooks in therapy... .DBT just wasn't something my daughter would invest herself in.  Eventually we did 10 months in RTC in another state where she learned some of the DBT skills in addition to other skills to cope with her intense emotions and thinking errors.

Side affects of medication can be frustrating.  Seeing how the benefits outweigh the downside of meds is really hard for a sufferer of BPD.

[BB_YogaGirl]

Hi and thank you for asking about my daughter. She has been in intensive individual therapy including DBT for 2+ years now. She grasps all the concepts but cannot apply even the most basic concepts when she's in crisis (crisis has many degrees, as you know). She will stroll along just fine (all summer, for example) and I foolishly start letting my guard down, thinking we've got mess figured out etc, and school begins and the rug is pulled out from both of us with no warning. She's spiraled since school began. (Senior year) it's always something. Test anxiety (severe), college applications (I do not believe going away to college is in her best interests at this point. She's 17 going on 14 or 15 emotionally. Her dad and I differ on this, although since her hospitalization, he's evolving.) her therapist also does not believe she should go away next year. My daughter refuses to hear this. Believes community college is a failure.

It's my first day on here... .RTC? We live in a remote area also but are fortunate to have found an amazing therapist that my daughter respects and loves. Psych care has been much harder to come by. We've been thru three. And I've been patient. Maybe that's not a bit # but continuity of care is so important in mental health.

[lbjnltx]

RTC Residential Treatment Center aka Therapeutic Boarding School

[BB_YogaGirl]

TY... .I just found the glossary