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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Thanks, all. [b]My issue and concern with these programs is that DD isn’t really a behavioral issue. She doesn’t skip school, no drugs/alcohol, bright, articulate, the stereotypical “a pleasure to have in class.[/b]” But she is so profoundly sad and depressed. I just feel like the types of people she might meet and such would make it a ooor fit. But I also want to take her seriously. [/quote]

Did you stop to consider that this is part of the issue in itself? She’s so busy being perfect for everyone else that she never gets to fall apart and address her needs? This is very common in certain psychiatric disorders, like eating disorders.

What “type of people” are you concerned for her to meet? People who have mental illness, just like she does? There is no “type of people” with mental illness.. if affects all demographics.

Your response might provide a few clues about why she’s eager to go away from her environment to heal. Listen to her carefully. [/quote]

Not op but you’re off base. It is widely and openly acknowledged in the mental health treatment community that adolescents without substance abuse are not well served in settings where that is commonly the chief complaint. No one is casting aspersions on the teens with substance abuse-but their needs are different AND it’s absolutely possible for patients not down the substance use path or on the periphery to start or escalate use when they are spending all their time with kids with addiction. It’s not a criticism of the kids with addiction issues, it’s human nature! [/quote]

If you’re in the business, you’d know that [b]there are residential programs that don’t deal with substance abuse[/b], right? Many programs do not want to deal with substance abuse, as it’s a very different kettle of fish, especially in the early stages. [/quote]

This.  While one poster seems familiar only with programs that deal with substance abuse, there are programs that work with kids with other areas.  OP's daughter took a huge risk in telling her mom that she wanted to explore a residential program.  OP should keep exploring to find programs.  The daughter's therapist should be involved in this process.

OP, if at any moment you have even the tiniest fleeting thought that your daughter might move from depression to thoughts of suicide or other self-harm, then please scoop her up and take her immediately to the nearest ER for an eval, calling the therapist while you're on the way.  Don't be afraid to ask her point blank if she has had suicidal thoughts or if she feels like harming herself.  It is completely untrue that asking these questions are in a way suggesting the action.

Hugs.[/quote]

There are but there are many unscrupulous programs and bad fits are very common! Many harrowing accounts online. I agree she should take it extremely seriously but fact is there are risks to the wrong level of care, which is why licensed professionals should drive decisions about placement, not teenagers. That’s why if your teen has a stomach ache you take them to a gastroenterologist to see what they recommend, not start looking yourself into getting her appendix removed at a for-profit center.  [/quote]

You are not making any sense.  Look, I get it that you're emotional about this subject.  But OP is asking for advice.  She doesn't need you discouraging her from looking at her options.  Practically every post except yours indicates involving the therapist and doing her homework.  Your post is pretty much a rant against … I don't know what.  You even lobbed one against the kid, who should be commended for being brave enough to surface the subject with her mom.  Honestly I think the best thing for you to do is to call your own therapist and get in to see him/her, and let OP keep doing what she's doing.[/quote]

Multiple people have replied advising caution (while taking the issue seriously), including me. I “lobbed” nothing against the child. Sometimes these programs are helpful and sometimes they are unhelpful or worse-why whitewash it? And I hardly think that suggesting a child’s physician should be central in level of care decisions is unusual. 
[/quote]

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