How do you handle an out of control teenager?

Question

How do you handle a teenage girl who cuts herself with razors and knives to get her way? She is respectful to her parents on a small level, but she is rude to her mother and threatens to run away. She is 15yrs old and she threatens her parents by saying she will cut herself or kill herself if they don't give in to what she wants. She is on medicine and she has been to the hospital, but she says that she doesn't need to be committed, and plus her mother loves her and saw the facility and backed out of having her committed. The parents are at a loss, because they want control of their household again, but they fear that if they don't give in to her every demanding want, she will committ suicide.They are currently in family counseling at this time. How do parents regain control of their daughter, but in a way that she won't hurt herself.

She has 2 loving parents. She may be depressed from the passing of her brother, but it's been over two years, and most of her actions are not all apart of grief.

Answer 1

Duct tape, a chair, and a large wooden spoon

Answer 2

You'll forgive me for being blunt but, she is NOT going to kill herself. She's figured out that she can get her way by threatening. Killing yourself by cutting (slitting your wrists) is a very painful thing. I have a friend who's attempted more than once and couldn't do it because she passed out from the pain and her parents discovered her. You need to get that girl some help. It's not the same cutting as the people you hear about that are depressed. This is manipulation pure and simple. Just keep an eye on her constantly but make sure you are firm and she follows what you say. GET HER MENTAL HELP.

Answer 3

There has got to be a reason for her behaviour which has nothing to do with just wanting her own way. Cutting yourself is a symptom of some terrible pain or suffering. Has she , or is she being abused or bullied? There could be other reasons but they are a good start. Chances are all her behaviour are a cry for help.
If the above is not the problem and she is simply manipulating you then chances of her doing anything really stupid are slim because she is putting on a show.

Answer 4

Counseling, counseling, counseling. The teenager needs some strict controls. To allow her to continue to emotionally blackmail the family is unacceptable. She needs to be told that it will stop now. That if she uses threats like that, she will be committed or kicked out of the house. Playing this middle ground is wrong and needs to stop. I'm sure she got everything she wanted as a baby by crying and acting out. Now she's doing the same behavior as a teen. It's amazing how parents screw up their kids and then want help fixing their mess.

Answer 5

She is obviously a manipulative girl who needs help. Not putting her in the institution gave her more control; it sounds like she already had too much. No person should ever tell people they are responsible for her own self inflicted harm. She needs to be institutionalized and learn some respect--and it doesn't sound like it is going to happen at home.

Answer 6

This family needs counseling. The daughter has some deep rooted issues. She really needs some inpatient and out patient counseling. She is asking for help in her way.

Answer 7

They can't control her, she needs to learn to control herself. They should never give in to her treats, they are condoning this by doing so. She is bluffing, if she wanted to die, she'd be dead. Cutting is an attention getting action. I'd say ignore it or she needs to be commited to an excellent place, then she will know how serious the situation is.

Answer 8

my sister had The same problem... her daughter started at The age of 15.. cutting herself, getting into trouble, and finally
got up with the wrong people..... she ran away..., her mom
called the law, they took her in... her mom got her out.....after
about the 4th time her mom quit getting her out. had her sent off
for 6mths.. to a special school, she got out at 16.....didn't
learn much of nothing..... done it again.... this time left her in jail.... it tore her mother up, she was on nerve pills, lost weight, wouldn't eat... she put her through hell....she's 18 now,
and is sorry for what she did... they are closer now than before....
me and our other sister had to be there for her for the
ruff times... you will be o.k. it will just take time, and the love...

Answer 9

sure, they dont even want her committed anymore, but she needs help
im 15 and im saying that
i cut... or used to, not as much anymore, but its because im depressed, shes not even that, its just a way to get what she wants, my parents dont even know i ever did it, and its the hardest to just stop, its like a drug, its addictive, especially when i was at my lowest point ready to just die... my family has been slowly breaking apart, parents always arguing, and my brothers dont see it.... theres just alot, and she needs help. its the only way

read the book Cut by Patricia McCormick... its short and easy to read...

but like i said im 15 and a cutter, and think she needs help... im going to therapy cause of depression...
but its the only way, because she needs to realize that her parents are in charge not her..... wow.. i think i need to listen to my own advice..... good luck

Answer 10

They should take a litttle feild trip to eh psyco nut facility..
if she likes it dropp her off
if she hates it tell her if she cuts then tell her she is gonna go there if she doesn't behave..
if all else fails just dont listen to her because she wouldn't wanna kill herself//...