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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Can any parents who BTDT chime in with success stories?  The hardest part, for me, parenting a child with suicidal ideation (tied to OCD, intrusive thought cycle) has been finding resources.  I have found one therapist in our area who sees kids with this type of OCD in-person, but she has a waiting list--- it just feels like we have the diagnosis but no qualified professional to help navigate from here. So I am left holding my breath, praying and living day-by-day until we find the right support.  Hugs to you, OP.[/quote]

Sure. It was a long road for us. I am PP 12:43. It took 6 years to get stability and a full year after to get on a path to success.

Breakdown occurred Fall of freshman year of HS. There were 6 hospitalizations and a 4 month residential treatment stint the first 15 months. The number of medication changes and provider changes during that period escapes me but it was a lot.

That was followed by a non mainstream special ed placement where he had yet another suicide attempt and wound up back in RTC.

During that period there were so many times he didn’t come home and we’d find him really messed up. He constantly turned his phone off so we couldn’t find him, though sometimes he’d call his older brother who always would go look for him. The police were our best friends. 
They were at our house so often I felt like I should get them Christmas gifts.

Then came Covid. I cannot even begin to explain that level of hell, only to be outdone by the subsequent psychotic break. You think there are no resources now but covid was a total desert.

There were times the violence was bad. I always had an escape plan which was quite elaborate. There was tons of property damage. And finally there was an assault, followed by a few months of involuntary commitment. After that I refused to allow him to come home. After a week and a half in what I’m sure was a pay by the hour motel on his own dime and with his bank account dwindling, he presented me with a contract and asked for another chance. I said yes and he has complied with the contract.  It is a zero tolerance for infractions arrangement.  It hasn’t always been easy because his anxiety got in the way a lot of success but he persevered and we all pitched in to help him be successful.

But now he’s optimally medicated - no easy feat because he had to find a doctor willing to go out in a limb and prescribe medication that is contraindicated for those who have had a psychotic break. He’s in college making good grades. He’s working. He’s made amends with his siblings and they are all now very close. It’s like a miracle. The road was long but success begets success. What never worked was talk therapy, but we kept trying it.

Insurance covered a lot of what we did but our bills were in the mid five figures.  It was worth it.

Good luck. [/quote]

Wow, PP, thank you for sharing. Your story brought both chills and tears. Your son is very lucky to have you as a mom. May you feel peace and in love in your home and life now. Way to go, Momma! [/quote]

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