Topic : Troubled Teens

I am sorry you are going through this. I am too. 

I have a 14 year old daughter with Bipolar. 

Has anyone ever talked to you abou tthe symptoms of bipolar? 

The reaosn I ask is you say she goes off her BCP and tried to get pregnant. That can actually be a sign of mania. It is called hypersexuality and often girls do just what you describe. 

Also you speak of things happening before/during school. I am wondering if you have ever had her tested for a special education IEP. She may be having difficulty in school and need extra support or even different classes. The main reason I felt I needed to reach out to you is because you mentioned that your daughter gets "migraines and is sick". My daughter did this too and when I pushed her to go to school she actually saw her headaches, throwing up and being sick as a failed attempt to accomplish one goal, TO NOT have to go to school. She threw herself down 16 stairs in my home. Luckily she broke no bones and was only bruised but my point in telling you this is one. Be careful for every failed attempt these kids will raise the stakes. 

If she has moods swings, that go from depressed to angry, violent, "giddy" or silly you may want to talk to someone who specializes in pediatric or early on-set bipolar disorder. 

If she is taking an anti-depressant and doe sin fact have bipolar, the medication can actually be making her symptoms worse. 

I do not want to scare I just want you to know many kids are diagnosed incorrectly, my daughter was one of them. They told me she was depressed when really she was bipolar and needed to be treated with different medications to control the cycling. 

If you want to ask me any questions you can email me at  

mommaoof2@yahoo.com 

tammy 

First of all, you feel like a shallow person, yet because you recognize this in yourself, I don't believe you are very shallow at all.   

I was never the pretty girl, the "perfect" looking one, yet I held attention wherever I went because of my hair color.  People did look at me, I could never blend into the crowd as I so often wanted to.   

You have a distorted self image, and because of this you feel jealousy.  I did some research on jealousy a while back and learned that it is fear of loss.  We get jealous because we feel possessive over someone or something.  We don't want to lose what we perceive to be ours.  What are you afraid of losing?  Is it attention?  You may need to work on your "inner tapes" and tell yourself that you would be better served by receiving attention from something you did rather than the way you look.   

As far as feeling as if you have to be perfect, you recognize this, so challenge it.  Maybe doing the "Self Matters" book Dr. Phil has out would be a good thing for you.  I would suggest going out one day without any makeup.  Maybe doing this in a town that nobody knows you, just to see what people's reactions would be.  I can almost guarantee that you will not be ridiculed, stoned, or yelled at...what may happen you may blend into the crowd and not receive a lot of attention.  Once we experience what we have been fearing, then maybe we find the fear of it was much worse than the reality of it....does that make sense? 

I strongly suspect you are a deeply caring person with much to offer this world than just your looks.  Sounds like you suspect it, too.  Maybe facing what it is you are afraid of and embracing it would be a way to get through this.  Just a suggestion.  Good luck! 

Teri 

ok..im 16 & havent gotten my license yet & 2 top it all of im depressed all the time & its makin' it worse cuz i dont have my license & all my friends do..i've takin the stinkin' test 3 times & failed & the last time i took it i had sooooo much confidence cuz i thought i past but i did like 2-3 things wrong...i just think they get more stricter if u've failed a lot of times before~how many times have ur kids taken it??...do u think im dumb for not passing...cuz i believe i am..well thats all..ttyl  

I don't know that I have any helpful advice.  But its nice to know I am not alone.  I have tried everything I can think of and nothing really works for very long.  NObody seems to want to help me.  Most people don't believe me.  He looks really innocent and helpful and all.  But at home he is something else.  I have actually thought about taping him because nobody believes that he can talk to me like he does and act the way he does.    Can we chat on here?  I am new to this board.  

Kristen, My name is April, and 15.  You can talk to me if you want.  I can relate somewhat tohow you feel.  First, nobodies life is perfect.  Mine wasn't paerfect, or anything close.  I have alot in common with you.   Ifr you want to, you can talk to me.  Just don't give up.  THings will eventually get better.