[vja4Him]

I'm not sure if I should post here .... I think I posted in the wrong forum (bipolar). My son also has most of the symptoms for bipolar, but has not yet been tested. I've asked his therapist and psychiatrist to test him (or evaluate) for bipolar. My son has many, nearly all, of the symptoms for depression, including suicide, just like his little brother and their mother, and also my mother and sister.

My son is in Juvenile Hall, charge with two felonies (assault with a deadly weapon). He has been completely out of control, stealing medications from my father (vicodine, codine and more), also stole all of my vicodine and codine, and stole all of my youngest son's Concerta.

My son's therapist told somebody that the court should be releasing my son very soon! I can't believe that!! My son cannot come home yet ... His behavior is extremely dysfunctional, he is a threat to himself, me, my youngest boy, my elderly father, our roommate, and the community. The judge even ruled at the arraignment that my son is a danger to himself, family and society.

This is all very frustrating, to say the least. I feel totally helpless, hopeless, angry, upset, confused, can't get enough sleep, lost my appetite, depressed myself, and my little boy (10 years old) is taking this trauma very hard.

I want my oldest son to get a higher level of help, evaluated for bipolar and other mental illnesses, anger management, drug counseling, and help with depression.

Mental illness runs in our family, including bipolar. Problems with alcohol and drugs is also prevelant, including myself. The boys' mother is suicidal. Both of my boys are suicidal. Other relatives are also suicidal, including my sister, uncle and others.

Any ideas, suggestions, support, prayers ... would be gratefully accepted. Thanks.

-- vja4Him
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[MissyChrissy]

You son's therapist "told somebody" that he's going to be released soon? Who is that "somebody"?

It sounds like you need to have a conversation with your son's therapist. How old is he (your son)? Tell the therapist you're concerned about his pending release.

If you're afraid the therapist isn't doing enough for your son, ask to speak to his/her supervisor. Also bring up the issue of confidentiality. The therapist should have been talking to "somebody" about your son. It's possible that "somebody" is lying and the therapist didn't really say that at all. So I go back to having this discussing with your son's therapist and find out what was said (if anything) and what the game-plan is.

[MommyDee]

If your son is currently in Juvenile Hall, you need to start addressing things immediately, before he gets released (whether that's imminent or not).

Legal counsel, community/social services, hospitals, psychologists and psychiatrists should all be on your list of people to contact -- start looking up numbers today, and start making calls. Have a pen and paper ready and take lots of notes. You need to explain your situation thoroughly, from the family history to the current behavioural and legal issues, and start finding out what programs are available to help your son.

It sounds like you will do whatever it takes to get him better -- and you may have to make some very difficult decisions in the coming days. You should be able to have your son forcibly admitted to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

You will probably want to seek legal counsel on this, or even an audience with the judge who saw your son's case. It sounds like he recognizes the severity of your son's illness, and he may be able to rule that your son be transferred to a mental health facility, rather than remaining in juvenile detention or being released. Basic counselling/therapy is NOT what your son needs -- he needs serious medical treatment. Between the legal and health care professionals, you should be able to devise a plan, but you need to get the ball rolling right now.

Once you have a plan in place, start looking for programs for the rest of your family. You need to take care of the immediate problem with your eldest first, but then you need to focus on getting everyone else on track too -- yourself, your younger son, and the other family members, who are all obviously very severely affected by this situation as well as their own health issues.

I wish you the best of luck, feel free to pm me if you ever need to talk.

[beth]

I recall your problem with your son from earlier this year. It really is necessary to have him assessed by a professional. He is a very troubled young boy and needs someone to discuss the issues he has with his mother and the breakup of his family. The sooner you can find him someone he can really open up to the better. Delaying this will only result in further pain for everyone. Good luck with it.