[Kim P.]

I strongly believe my 17 year old son is Bipolar, and abuses substances. I believe his father was also Bipolar and a substance abuser since age 14 -- my son's dad committed suicide just over a year ago. My son was in a youth detention center at the time. My son doesn't trust anyone and won't seek treatment. He's assaulted family members and is now in county jail. I don't know what to do.

[skeeweeaka]

Can't you have him committed for help.... A 72 hour hold or something...

TJ

[Kim P.]

Originally Posted by skeeweeaka

Can't you have him committed for help.... A 72 hour hold or something...

TJ

Unfortunately, my son's not legally considered a danger to himself or others. He's 17 and can discharge himself AMA at anytime.

Thank you.

[bizi]

Hey Bizi,

Have you been taking meds long? I have a 17 year old son who won't take any meds. He's assaultive to family members and ended up in jail. It's tough to swallow. Any advice?

I have a 17 year old son. He's Bipolar, ADD, ODD, and substance abuser. He refuses treatment. He spent a year (age 16) in a youth detention center for assaultive behavior. He was released after 10 months, back living with us, assaultive again and now 17. He's been in county jail for just over a week. I cannot get him to try any meds. He's failing at home, school, with friends. His psychologist feels he's better off without any meds, but I'm not sure.

I think he needs a new psychiatrist! and a good therapist he is dealing with his dads suicide....

sorry I jsut found this thread after starting one for you...
anyway.
Firstly I must say that I am not a parent so I don't have that perspective...however I am a daughter.
I am sorry that you are going thru this terrible time with your son. It sounds awful!

IMO he has one more year until he is 18 and then old enough to accept responsibilities. now you are responsible, you get to call 911 if he assaults you again and not be bailed out. Jail has a way of sobbering up someone.
However....
If he is manic then he is not being rational...then he could be commited for 72 hour hold in patient psych unit..if he is in danger of harming himself or someone else. assaulting someone else would count I think.
They have injections of meds for non compliant patients that are long acting.
If you accept his bad behavior then you are enabling him.
Your house your rules if he doesn't play by your rules then he can't live with you. It is called respect.
tough love.

just my opinion....
I know that sounds kind of harsh....
like dr. phil would say " how is that working for you?"
Do you have a therapist that you can work with?
You need support!
((((HUGS))))
bizi

[skeeweeaka]

Originally Posted by Kim P.

Unfortunately, my son's not legally considered a danger to himself or others. He's 17 and can discharge himself AMA at anytime.

Thank you.

Oh sorry Kim, I guess the only answer then would be to find a pdoc and T and make him see them... I'm not so sure of how that would go, but perhaps they could give you some more ideas.

TJ

[Christynott]

Kim,

I am so sorry to hear about what your son and YOU are going through. I imagine the feeling of helplessness, grief, and frustration are great. It is so hard when someone doesn't want help, because unless they want the help they won't accept the help. While he is in county jail, they may be able to get him to start getting stable and maybe the courts will force him to start getting help and once stable, he will be more apt to keep taking care of himself.

Remember -- during this hard time, take care of yourself!!!

[gimmie123]

yes im 22 yrs old i have bipolar and depression runs in my family i don't talk meds right now. i used to all the time then i took my self off. now i really do need them. I am very moody. Im either really sad or really angry. im tired of my life. If u don't see a docter about bipolar u good end ur life if u get really depressed i think about wanting my life to be over, but i don't have the guts. But some people do have the guts bipolar is a mental disorder that you can't explain why u feel u do. If someone u know has bipolar u need to see a docter for a evauation.