Anonymous wrote:Reviving this old thread as my DD has been recently diagnosed with autism, adhd, anxiety and depression. Still learning and trying to figure out how to support her. The emotional dysregulation in my DD is scary when it's there but she's not aggressive at all when it's not there. So weird.

I'm interested to hear from other parents who have tried DBT for their teen children. Where did you go in the DMV? Any recommendations on DBT providers in Northern VA? We are in Arlington if that is relevant.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the DBT recommendations. We have never tried that and it sounds like it might be helpful. There is family history of depression, anxiety, and adult-onset psychosis (which may be linked to bipolar disorder - exact diagnosis has never been figured out because it responds very well to medication). I will also say that the intensification of her symptoms coincided with an episode of cyberbullying that I didn't find out about until much later (it was not that severe but happened while Covid restrictions were still in effect and she was somewhat isolated, which I think heightened the impact).

Anonymous wrote:My teen DD has a really hard time regulating her emotions. She frequently cries or screams loudly at some setback, insecurity, or perceived slight, sometimes several times a day. It has ruined many friendships because she can be exhausting to be around.

Although she snaps at people sometimes, she is not otherwise angry or aggressive. She's a great kid aside from this - friendly, kind, creative, and funny. She is very bright and does well in school.

This has been a lifelong problem but has gotten much worse in adolescence. We have cycled through multiple meds in an effort to help, none of which has made more than a marginal difference. Ditto therapy, which she's been in for years. We had her screened a few years ago and she received only an anxiety diagnosis. People have been urging me to get her rescreened, for ASD in particular. But to me she does not seem to me to have issues with social skills other than turning people off with her intensity.

I'm wondering if anyone has a kid like this, what diagnosis if any they have, and most of all, what has helped. I'll add that this problem is currently making my DD miserable.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the DBT recommendations. We have never tried that and it sounds like it might be helpful. There is family history of depression, anxiety, and adult-onset psychosis (which may be linked to bipolar disorder - exact diagnosis has never been figured out because it responds very well to medication). I will also say that the intensification of her symptoms coincided with an episode of cyberbullying that I didn't find out about until much later (it was not that severe but happened while Covid restrictions were still in effect and she was somewhat isolated, which I think heightened the impact).