[dayton52]

Hey folks--

My 15 year old daughter under treatment for bp has started to get violent in her manic state. She hurts our dogs and the last two times has begun to hit me and my wife. We took her to the hospital this last time, and she just got home. We have made it clear that the violence can't continue. If she attacks us again, what should we do? She's bigger than my wife, but I'm bigger and stronger than she is, though restraining my daughter is hard to do when she's manic. What can we do when she's physically hurting us?

[Moose72]

She needs to understand that even in mania she has some control. I'm not familiar with teen bipolar as it's not the same beast as adult bp. She needs to realize thT there are real consequences. Maybe a scare with police would be an eyeopener? I'd make sure her pdoc knows what's going in and maybe readjust meds. I k ow you were just seen but it's not always easy to get the right mix.

[ladyjrnlist]

It's true. She may be seriously manic, but there is a mindfulness that is possible to where she can learn when these episodes are coming on and perhaps control her outbursts to an extent.
If not, then she is a danger and she could end up in the hosptial long term, which nobody wants to see happen.
If she is not in therapy, that could be a good way to help her learn to manage her mania a little better.
Good luck to you.

[PT52]

I'd have to agree with the excellent advice here. My first instinct would be to call 911 when she does get violent. But before she gets violent, make it clear to her that, while you will do everything you can to get her help, there are still consequences to her behavior. As a parent, the instinct is to protect our children from pain and getting hauled to juvie is painful (spent a few nights there myself in my younger days). But it's also important to help them learn to function in society by understanding consequences. I hope that helps...