[anxietygirl]

My son tried to kill himself again, third time this month. He ended up in the ICU. An assessment team came to eval him for treatment, but they said he wasn't a danger to himself or others because he was not suicidal when they came to see him. He was going to go voluntarily to treatment, but then he bolted on foot from the hospital against medical advice. They couldn't call the police because he was not a risk to himself or others. I called police. They found him an I took him to the county assessment place, but he left after they interviewed him because he was told the county does not provide anxiety medications such as klonopin which he has been taking three times a day for a month nor would they give him his sleeping medication trazodone. He told them the next time he tries to kill himself, he wont take pills, but will hang himself. Can you believe he cant be involuntarily committed? Now he is at home no medications and going thru withdrawal, diarrhea, chest pain, and shaking. He has a privates psychiatrist but I havent talked to him yet. I left message with nurse practitioner. My insurance for intreatment care has been exhausted, it only provides for 10 day inpatient days a year. I don't know what to do.

[Capp]

anxietygirl,
I'm so very sorry you are going through such a rough time with your son...

Can you put in another call to his pdoc tomorrow?

It's truly hard for me to understand why they could not keep him--unless he lied and led them to believe he was "better"...not suicidal at the moment.

Jmo, perhaps taking him to the ER for his withdrawal symptoms would be a good idea. Going cold turkey off those drugs can be dangerous and he may need to be monitored.
Are you sure, though, that he has not ingested any type of poison??

Cap

[Junerain]

Do you think you could try a different psychiatrist, one that could 'reach..' him, help him, whatever form help takes? Also would he be willing to go to a support group, I can give you a link to a national one with meetings near you, or one for family members of the mentally ill, would that help?

[nightbird]

Take your son to the emergency room at your local hospital.

Whatever you do, don't give up, keep pressing the medical profession for appropriate help and support for your child.

Peace and Support... necessary for your son,
Nightbird

I agree with capp and nightbird. Imo i would take your son to the ER.
you also can always call 911 for help too
FIrst he would be admited because of the withdrawal..
imo I would think he was in ICU for trying to harm himself its on record.
My sister and Dad both were put in the hospital" involuntarily committed."
My son at one point in his life was under age, When he had issues I could have taken him too.
and had him done involuntarily....like my Dad and sister

best wishes to you and your son. I hope he gets the help he needs

[Pomegranate]

I agree, take him to the ER. Tell them everything that's been going on. If he is in withdrawal, from those drugs, it's dangerous. And since he has threatened suicide you can't be sure it is withdrawal, as Cap mentioned.

[(JD)]

Take him to ER. Tell them he will lie to them about not wanting to die, just so he can get out and do it.

I would also be on the telephone to the psychiatrist HOURLY until I obtain a good response. If he won't assist in detaining your son, then ask for a referral to who will. What good is a doctor who is only there when it's calm, and fails to help in the crunches?

Prayer for the safety of your son (if you don't mind.)

Do your best. That's all you can do.

Keep telling your son how much he means to you and how leaving will make many people very sad. If that's what he wants, try and get him to think of other ways to get back at them (such as becoming a success and laughing in their faces?) At this point, you just keep trying.

Generally people who try to end their lives don't really want to die, they really really want their lives as they are now to end. Give him hope for change, that things won't always feel/be this bad for him...that it is a tough time in his life...but won't always be this way. Try and get him to tell himself that he does have the option but to tell himself NOT NOW...he doesn't have to end it NOW... to wait a little longer...

Good wishes on all fronts.

[kelly40]

It looks like everyone has already given you the advice I would give so all I will say is I will pray for you to have strength and that your son can find some peace again.