Is it a good idea to place teenagers in psychiatric clinics?

Question

I have contacted alot of hospitals and researched their inpatient programs and believe it might be a good idea to place my 15 year old daughter in the hospital for a while.
She hasn't yet been diagnosed with any illnesses but I've been worried about her. I do know that she has been cutting herself since she was 13 though she hasn't done it for over one year after I gave her a long, heart felt lecture.
But its not the cutting which worries me, for the past 2-3 years she has been very difficult.
At first I thought it was just puberty, but it is much more than that.
Her grades have dropped drastically and she shows NO interest in anything, She's not very social anymore, She doesn't have any real hobbies, and she's VERY sensitive and emotional
She has mood swings all the time and often frightens me. I'm just concerned about her health. I wouldn't want her to do something stupid. I don't think she's suicidal but she is definately not like she used to be. I love her & want the best for her.

Let me also add that her eating habits are strange and she never sleeps.
She doesn't have an eating disorder but her eating habits aren't very normal. She usually starves herself all day and then binges very late at night.
She is very thin and a few lbs underweight.
She has even admitted to me that life "bores" her. She also often says that she is tired of life and that life is bullsh*t and pointless.

I think it's a good idea but what worries me is that she'll hate me when she comes back home, I have requested treatment to her before she became quite sad/mad.
Nobody likes the idea of being in the hospital...
I also have my doubts about the psychiatrists. I'm not sure if I want to have my daughter drugged up 24/7.
Help?

Answer 1

Have you taken her to see a psychiatrist?

I think just throwing her into an institution as your first step towards helping her without professional intervention could be disastrous. Even though I believe the doctor will institutionalize her it is best to let a professional make the correct diagnosis and decision based on that.

You will probably need to seek therapy as well. You sound very distraught and sad.

I hope you get your daughter the help she needs, don't put it off another day. She's crying out for help the only way she knows how. You have been watching this for two years too long.

best wishes..

Answer 2

I thought it was kind of fun myself :)
I should give more info. I was a troubled teen. You could do a better job by getting her into couseling. It may take a year or two to find out what's going on. The hospital idea is just too impersonal. Unless you want her drugged up or you think she's an immediate danger to herself or someone else I wouldn't advise it. I would also get her to a psych to see if there's any medication he can put her on to level her out. She's depressed and more than likely has a drug problem at this point. You're right to worry, but don't go to extremes unless you have to. Also get a drug test. You can buy them at the drugstore. Get one that tests the largest variety that you can possible get. Then you'll know what she's doing and you can give her periodic tests to make sure she stops. Confrontation works well with teens, just don't freak out. Be stern without emotions. Get some parenting advice yourself. We can always use more information to make us better parents. The cutting thing can be grown out of believe it or not. The psychs make it into a big thing, but most of the time it's for attention. So give it to her. And I DID have fun in the psych unit cause it was a joke. You're the biggest thing in her life. Stand up and let her know you're there.

Answer 3

Wow, this is the best question I've seen on here. I say NO to psych clinics because a friend I had in high school came out so much worse than when she went in- she was also a cutter, very withdrawn, extremely bright but no interest whatsoever in school. Getting committed just made her hate her family and she showed no marked improvement until she took it into her own hands and decided to change. Have you tried therapy? Though people usually laugh at this idea, group therapy has been proven to be highly effective (better than one-on-one) because it shows your daughter that "hey, there are other people like me! i feel like less of a freak now!" Also, it may be worthwhile to just try to listen to her instead of lecturing... it's possible what's bothering her is something you yourself can clear up for her. If not though, there are always psychiatric tests just to see if she has any disorders that are out of her control because then you can get the proper help. I hope this helped... good luck!

Answer 4

The hospitals I have seen for that are a complete joke. I hate to say that b/c some people might find a good one out there if they have a lot of money. But she needs to see a psychiatrist and a counselor. She has a combination of problems. I would not suggest a hospital unless suicide is possible or unless the psychiatrist highly recommends it. That is my opinion.

Answer 5

I dated a guy in one of those hospitals,The Erickson Center, and from my perspective the troubled teens became more troubled while instituted. Their only influence were other troubled teens. There was a lot of sex and drug use. The "counselors" were actively involved. Of course, the professional Psychiatrist were oblivious to what was going on or chose to ignore it. It seems that the kids got worse. Many would help each other with suicide attempts and escapes. Please consider private therapy or other non-residential treatment for your daughter and surround her with positive influences. The kids at this place felt abandoned and felt that there was no reason for hope, after all their parents had given up on them and left them with someone else to "deal with". Stay strong.

Answer 6

If she has stopped cutting that is good teenagers at that age are difficult to deal with forget the hospitals keep telling her you love her and you are there to help if she needs it let her do her own thing dont try to force things onto her you dont know what she thinks she needs .Having said all that should the cutting start again then seek medical help and tell her if anything bad happend to her you would just die .Love and understanding is the key to success .

Answer 7

You need to send her to a psychiatrist. She should have been going to one before now. Send her to a therapist, and they will direct you as to what to do next.

Depressed people don't always do well in clinics. They will be in there with people who are actually crazy and have done things like killed people. But, they do a world of good for others. You need to get a professional opinion ASAP.

Answer 8

Having suffered from severe depression in my teenage years. The best thing that I can say is get her help as soon as possible. She will hate you now but most likely later in life she will come to understand that you loved her enough to help save her life.

Answer 9

mam is she willing to express or write u what it is that makes her feel life is bullshit .is she in public school? to be a ear for her will be good . she does not have a friend she hangs with .has a friend past away close to her. is someone suffering or should i say going thrue chemo therapy shes closed to?

Answer 10

yup its a good idea, maybe it can help her built some confidence