[vj3751]

Our 15 year old son was recently diagnosed as bipolar 1. He is just transitioning from 2 weeks in the hospital - the police had to take him after a major episode where he destroyed a lot of property in our home and assaulted us. This is his second hospitalization in the past few months. We feel like we have to decide whether to try to keep him at home or send him to a residential program like a therapeutic boarding school of other such program. Does anyone have similar experiences? The local health care system has been very disappointing.

[Rapunzel]

I work in residential treatment. We have kids like your son there. Some of them are able to really change their lives when they are placed in a structured environment where they have to learn to manage those impulses and emotions, and are taught the appropriate skills. Whether he goes to residential treatment or an intensive outpatient program or whatever treatment is chosen, it will have to come down to his choice to look around and see what he is doing to his life and the people around him and decide to make different choices.

[vj3751]

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

I work in residential treatment. We have kids like your son there. Some of them are able to really change their lives when they are placed in a structured environment where they have to learn to manage those impulses and emotions, and are taught the appropriate skills. Whether he goes to residential treatment or an intensive outpatient program or whatever treatment is chosen, it will have to come down to his choice to look around and see what he is doing to his life and the people around him and decide to make different choices.

Thanks for the response Rapunzel. We have found quite a few success stories referencing residential programs. We have heard almost no long term success stories without a residential program. It's starting to feel like it is inevitable even though we really don't want to send our son away for months or more.

[daisychic]

Hi, I know right now it can be hard to imagine a better time but it can get better. We had to consider residential treatment in the beginning too. My son broke everything he could get his hands on and got physical also. We had to put him in the hospital several times for his safety. He was five then but now he is twelve and doin okay. Being that your child is already a bigger and older and probably a stronger kid you have to take that into affect. Can you keep them safe and you safe while getting treatment. I suggest finding a good doctor who can help. We went to several docs before finding a really good one. I cant stress enough safety for both you and your child. I wish yall the best.