Don't know what to do

[Boots]

My daughter lives with myself and my husband along with her 19 month old, we are currently going through what I think is a schizophrenic episode. She is undiagnosed at the moment and I have no idea where to go and what to do. I am falling apart

[jqw]

As frightening as it is, unfortunately you are going to need outside help. This doesn't mean you have failed or your parenting is bad. This is an illness just like diabetes. 

My teenager son has been diagnosed with major depression, his only 14. He has suicidal tendencies and at times when I can't convince him we need help, I have just had to call an ambulance. They have always been so helpful. 

Maybe even going to your gp on your own expressing your concerns and see if they can help you.. 

It is so hard at times and frightening, but you aren't alone.

[CherryBomb]

Hi Boots, 

Welcome to the Forums. 

Sorry to hear that you and your family are going through a rough time. It's stressful and confusing knowing what to do in situations like these if they are unfamiliar and new

Like what @jqw has suggested seeing a from a health professional can be helpful. The GP can be a good place to start. Would your daughter willing to see someone? If so, find a GP that can do mental health assessment. Once they do this, they can refer on to mental health specialists (i.e., psychologist and psychiartrist). If you do not have a GP, a pharamcist may be able to point you in the direction of one. Beyond Blue also have referral database on their website, which has details of docotrs with an interest/expertise in mental health. When making the booking, asking for a double appointment can also be helpful so that gives your daughter plenty of time to discuss concerns. Also, writing down family history, and symptoms can be useful too. 

If you daughter is not willing to seeing someone, she cannot be forced to against her will unless she is at immediate risk. In this event, you can call emergency services, or the CAT (Crisis Assessment Team) in your local local hospital. 

There are few members on this forum who are also caring for adult/adolsecent children @Rover  @Louise @waves  @Suzi  can I ask about the pathway you took to have your daughter/son assessed for the first time? 

Also @Boots, it can be helpful to get some support for yourself. You don't have to deal with this alone. Coming on here is a good example. Also, there's ARAFMI, which is an organisation that provides support to people who care/for about others with MI. 

Has anyone else got any advice for boots?

[Boots]

Thank you so much, it helps to talk to people in similar situation, this has been escalating for years and is coming to a head now, I feel embarrassed to go outside to my backyard because I know my neibours can hear. I am at the delicate stage of hoping to convince her to seek help. I will go and talk tp a gp myself. I'm trying to hold onto my own sanity at the moment. It's really bad when I prefer to be at work rather than at home and look forward to the working week.

[Boots]

Well hopefully a breakthrough, I made an appointment at the doctor and picked my time to ask her if she would like to come with me. I was expecting a flat no but she said yes, I said I need help as well she said yes you do , I don't care if she thinks I need help as long as I can get her to go. Fingers crossed she comes

[jqw]

Excellent.. even if it is baby steps.. Maybe keep a journal of your daughter's behaviour or things that really upset her, as when you get to the Dr you don't want to forget everything you have been trying to remember. I found that really helped with my son..

Good luck 

[blithe]

Hi there @Boots,

How did you get on - have you been able to see the Dr yet? Hoping it went well for you.

blithe