Follow up to mental hospital for 15 y/o son?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArcORWBI9ZOggKxhXZhByS_uxQt.;_ylv=3?qid=20071017180951AAW8jHa

I read your advice on my previous question, and thank you for this. I have taken the subject up with my son, told him I talked to a shrink (which I did,) and said it is a feasible option.

Someone mentioned that a person not acting rationally should not be able to make serious decisions themselves.

He is acting rationally, comparatively for him. He refuses medications, and refuses the mental hospital.

The thing that scares me is that the trip, according to research will scar his record. It is already probable he won't make it into the colleges he wants to get into, even with an IQ of 150+ and great SAT/ACT scores, 600+ hours of veterinary 'internship.'

He says that if he can't get into these colleges because I sent him, regardless of "depression," he will kill himself.

No meds can cure someones dreams being shattered, can they? What can I do?

Answer 1

The only reason he talks about suicide is to stop the abuse. Im working hard with the local DA to help stop parents from covering up years of abuse with phony claims of bi polar disorder. I think someone should be reported.

Answer 2

Medical records, including psychiatric records, are private, so much so that the government enacted a law to enforce those privacy rights called HIPPA. There is no way a past history of being treated for depression will keep him out of college. If this were true, a huge portion of the American population wouldn't qualify for an education. Mental illness is finally coming out of the shadows and being recognized as a legimate health issue. Much of the stigma that used to be attached to it is gone. This should encourage your son, not discourage him. Don't let him manipulate you about this, either. He is a child after all. You have to do what is best for him, whether he likes it or not.