I want to give an update. In my opinion, DD has improved. I'm so relieved! Just before Thanksgiving Day she told me that she actually felt better. Is she happy? I can't say she is, but life is better than it was just a few short weeks ago. So, it really did take 7-9 weeks for the antidepressant to work. That's a long time to know your child is thinking about suicide on a daily basis. She still has times when she feels bad... especially before bed. She still struggles with making herself eat. And, she's learning that not taking your medication consistently can cause you to have a bad day. That is a hard lesson that we worked on just yesterday. DD attends weekly counseling in addition to taking two medications. The mood stabilizer bought us time while we were waiting for the anti-depressant to start working. Pretty sure it saved her life. Now we have time for the therapist to help DD learn skills to help her fight the depression. Thankfully, she has stopped saying things I found shocking. During therapy I shared with the therapist something DD said, and DD was so embarrassed. She says she didn't remember saying that. And, she isn't nearly as angry as she was. In fact, she is constantly reminding me how things don't really matter and I shouldn't get upset about them. She doesn't want to attend public school anymore. Thoughts of trying to catch up in her classes bring on bouts of anxiety. As parents we have mixed feelings, but we are focused on DD healing rather than stuffing her back into the mold. Life will never be the same for her, but it is so nice to see my girl coming back. :)

Get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Getting help is a much longer process than I ever anticipated. Her primary care physician will be able to rule out physical causes. You can be on a waiting list up to five months before you get in to see a therapist. I would definitely try therapy with or without medication. The therapist can teach your child coping skills that can be used throughout their life.

I want to thank everyone for the support and advice! It means the world to me!

Tara, I understand your concern. Absolutely. The psychiatrist gave us his primary recommendation (trip to the ER) and then gave us the option of trying a mood stabilizer. The three of us (parents and child) met with the psychiatrist and he encouraged us to make the decision as a family. I'll be honest, if the decision had been up to me solely, I would have taken her to the hospital. The doctor has previously worked as a an emergency room psychiatrist and was able to give us information about what would happen if we took her to the ER. Based on that information, we made the decision to try the mood stabilizer. It was a very hard choice to make. Both DH and her two older sisters have been treated for depression and yet, I have been completely unprepared for this.

I need to talk with someone! Three out of six family members have been treated for depression, so I should be an expert, right? But, my 17yo is throwing me for a loop. I had a long post but I'll try to stick to the one issue which is blowing my mind. Why does she say shocking stuff? She says she wants me to know who she is. I think she IS trying to shock me, but at the same time I think it is bigger than that. My guess is she shares stuff she knows I dislike because she wants me to loathe her like she loathes herself. I don't want to repeat what she said tonight, but if you are brave enough, you can search for the explicit lyrics to her favorite song "Tapout" by Rich Gang. (Sorry for those who like it but my daughter knows me and knows I would find it offensive) I would appreciate any feedback. This is my kid who attended a religion class every morning before school for three years, rarely missed school, had a 3.8 GPA, and was a cheerleader. Now she attends school for a few hours each week, does NO school work, has dropped cheer, and has had suicidal thoughts for several months. The psychiatrist has her on a mood stabilizer while we are waiting for the anti-depressant to start working (7-9 weeks). He recommended we take her to the hospital, but she wanted to try the mood stabilizer first. I'll admit that I'm weary and at times angry which then leads to guilt. It feels like a roller coaster ride.

Sent mine not too long ago. :)

Thank you for sharing. What really stood out to me - "I teach the child I have." :)

Thank you for sharing! :thumbup1:

You'll see that R&S 7 and R&S 8 both cover pre-algebra skills. Of course, if you continue to use R&S the problem is what Algebra I program to use afterward. I've been waiting years and years for R&S to come out with an Algebra program. I'm not sure what we'll do. R&S 7 table of contents R&S 8 table of contents

Have you looked at R&S 7 and 8? We are currently using R&S 7 and had a lesson on solving algebraic equations today.

:grouphug: Erin :grouphug: If putting on your own oxygen mask means letting someone else educate your kids, that is okay. They need you to be a good mom first.

Those little hand held microscopes are worth their weight in gold. There was absolutely no question that we had a live louse and what a nit looked like on the hair shaft. I also saved hairs with the nits still attached as a reminder of what we are looking for in the future. Another useful tool - a headband magnifier. (similar) Never say never ... I was 49. Once we knew we had lice, we used the Lice Program schedule for combing. We didn't vacuum the furniture or wash the sheets. We DID change our shirt right after being combed and we DID change our pillow cases on the days we were combed. Oh, and lice live up to 48 hours off the host. I thought it was 24 hours but one little bugger proved me wrong.

Oh my goodness. I used to think my PMS was bad. And then ... I hit peri-menopause. This past cycle was the scariest thing I've ever experienced. Road rage! I actually told the family I was <bleep> running away and stormed out of the house. When I finished walking around the block I was still very, very angry. I was breathing like a bull. I'm surprised I'm still married. Good luck!

Happy birthday! :) :grouphug:

Thank you so much for sharing all your stories. I've been reading them to my girls. Thanks for the laughs. :001_rolleyes: :driving:

We have been doing this since January (19yo and 17yo) and my nerves are fried! Often it is the other drivers (yeah, I've shot a bird a few times). They have no patience! We even have THREE "Student Driver" magnets on the car and people still try to mow us down. My 17yo has had to calm me down a few times because I was threatening to get out of the car at the next stop light and give those idiots a piece of my mind. Yes, I'm in the throes of perimenopause. :cursing:

Thinking of you, Rose.

Congratulations! She is too cute. :)

Another :grouphug:

Thanks for sharing the link. I have to say it really surprised me to see Snow College mentioned. Not one you hear of often.

My daughter was always homeschooled. She had a combination of depression and anxiety which we finally got help for when she was 12. We tried medication (two years? Never found a good fit) for the depression but I think attending sessions with a cognitive behavioral therapist (Dr.) was the most helpful. Just so you know, it wasn't a quick fix. We attended counseling together for about five years before my daughter finally felt she didn't need counseling anymore. She currently uses public transportation and attends community college full time. There is hope. :) edited to add: The reason I mention public transportation is because this child wouldn't even go down a grocery aisle by herself. Using public transportation by herself on a daily basis shows how far she has come.

Thank you. I'll make a note and put it in my book. :)

Oh, this is not what I expected to find tonight when I checked this thread. Your son was so strong, such a fighter. Along with everyone here - I am heartbroken for you. May this song bring you a moment of peace when needed:

Homeschool isn't important to DH. He would plop 13yo in public school without hesitation.

When I "like" your posts I want you to know that it is to show support. I certainly don't like what is happening to your sweet family.