cutting . . .

[mzteris]

how do you deal with it - especially a Teen who absolutely REFUSES to take any kind of medication?

[fizzgig]

1. are they getting any type of counselling?

i was a cutter when i was a teen and i found that just being able to talk about my situation with an outside, objective party to be tremendously helpful.

[mzteris]

2. he was -

he quit 'cause the "guy was stupid" and didn't "understand him. Which was a surprise to the therapist who thought they had gotten along famously.

Perfectionist type kid who believes that asking for help means failing. That doing it on his own is the ONLY way things CAN be done.
C

[fizzgig]

3. you could have described me with that last paragraph

i had to have an epic crash and burn before i was ok asking for help, and that didn't come until i was in my mid 20s. the only advice i can give is to make sure to give constant reinforcement that asking for help is not a failure and that you love him no matter what. i wish i had better advice for you, but all i have is a bunch of :hug: to you both.

[mopinko]

4. yeah, if you figure it out, let me know.

my daughter did it for several years. she wouldn't take anything, either. still doesn't. she did get a lot of therapy. i don't think the phd was as good as the lcsw that she had at school. she was in a therapeutic school, and i think that is what really saved her.
she doesn't do it anymore, but she is collecting tattoos. today is her birthday (22), and she got a new one up the back of her leg. she is up to about 30. i think she mostly transferred it to something more interesting and acceptable. also has several piercing and ear gauges.
other than that, tho, she is mostly doing pretty well. she had a job that she likes, and is going to college. she is herself, that is for sure.

:hug: to you for the spot you are in. it sucks.