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Niece
Oct 7, 2009 14:06:35 GMT -5
Post by Anna on Oct 7, 2009 14:06:35 GMT -5
Okay, quick notice. My 17 year old niece Lauren was taken to a psychiatric hospital last night. In an attempt to make her parents angry, she first threatened to intentionally crash their car and kill herself (apparently a common Lauren-fight threat), then grabbed five or so anti-psychotic pills (I don't remember the name) and told her mother, "Let's see how you like it when I kill myself taking a handful of pills."
Katie knocked most of the pills out of her hand - not that 5 would have killed it, but it certainly wouldn't have done her any good - but Lauren managed to swallow two of 'em. Katie and Tom took her off to Brentwood and had her admitted. Katie's afraid that in one of her attempts to make them mad, Lauren will go too far and do herself lasting injury - if not actually kill herself.
This was not a serious attempt at suicide - but it was a screaming cry for attention and help.
So. I'm going to be going bald shortly. Katie and Tom are in disagreement about admitting Lauren, but Katie's determined to stick to it and keep her in there until the hospital says she can be released. Tom thinks they did the wrong thing and wants to get her out NOW.
I'm backing my sister. And I'm trying very hard to figure out what's going through Lauren's mind....
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Niece
Oct 7, 2009 15:13:24 GMT -5
Post by JustPlainKitty on Oct 7, 2009 15:13:24 GMT -5
Anna, continue to back your sister. After working in a mental health clinic I can tell you that she definitely needs help. Even if this is just a "cry for attention" the question is "Why?". It clearly points out that help is needed. Hospitals don't just dole out medication, they also provide counseling and if she needs long-term counseling they can help set that up too. Sometimes the best love is tough love. Though dad may want to pull her out now, at this point they can provide the professional help that can't be had at home. There may be a chemical imbalance that needs treated or there may be some deep emotional hurt there that is causing this. But they should be aware that THEY may also have to attend counseling. Parents should be involved in the treatment and the solution.
/hugs
Good luck.
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Niece
Oct 7, 2009 20:41:18 GMT -5
Post by Chantal on Oct 7, 2009 20:41:18 GMT -5
Anna--Oh, man! *Hugs*
I agree with Kitty; a psychiatric hospital--or some environment away from her parents--is probably the best place for Lauren, right now. For one thing, it will show her the consequences of demanding attention in this particular way. For another, it will get her and Katie and Tom out of whatever ongoing situation is occurring at home, so they can all look at themselves and each other, figure out what's not working at home and why, and figure out what Lauren needs.
Then, yes, I think they should all get counseling. If they don't, this will just happen again, only Lauren will be sneakier, next time. So I am praying this helps, and I back your sister, too.
Erm--Also, the question that is burning a hole in my head, right now: Where the heck did she get anti-psychotic pills?
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Niece
Oct 7, 2009 22:06:19 GMT -5
Post by Anna on Oct 7, 2009 22:06:19 GMT -5
I have no idea, Chantal. Katie doesn't keep anything stronger than ibuprofen in the house. She probably got them from a friend. Tom is being difficult about everything - but Katie really is the final authority in that house, and she's holding firm. I sent a book to Lauren, via Katie. "A Wrinkle in Time." I didn' think any of the oh-so-popular teen vampire and such books would be appropriate right now. And I'm not trusting her with my copy of Splendor Falls just yet! One day hasn't been enough to change her in any way, though. Katie said she was just like she always is. We'll see what several days does. I plan to go see her Friday.
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Niece
Oct 8, 2009 20:22:54 GMT -5
Post by Hope on Oct 8, 2009 20:22:54 GMT -5
Bless your sister. Tough Love is the only thing that has a prayer of helping. (Has her Dad softened her punishments her whole life?)
My prayers are with you and your family. There ought to be an Al-Anon equivalent for mental illness.... This sort of thing effects the whole family, not just the one who is sick.
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Niece
Oct 8, 2009 21:44:03 GMT -5
Post by Anna on Oct 8, 2009 21:44:03 GMT -5
Update: Lauren is released tomorrow. They've determined that she doesn't need to be kept at the hospital. Katie will find out recommendations and whatnot tomorrow, I'm sure.
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Niece
Oct 8, 2009 22:10:19 GMT -5
Post by Chantal on Oct 8, 2009 22:10:19 GMT -5
Yikes. Tomorrow is too soon. I agree that Lauren probably isn't in need of psychotropic drugs, but something's obviously not right. Does she play one parent off the other?
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Niece
Oct 9, 2009 7:30:02 GMT -5
Post by JustPlainKitty on Oct 9, 2009 7:30:02 GMT -5
Two words: Family Counseling.
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Niece
Oct 9, 2009 12:46:04 GMT -5
Post by Anna on Oct 9, 2009 12:46:04 GMT -5
Chantal, every kid plays one parent against the other! It's part of being a kid. Kitty - I agree!
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