Yes, start with her pediatrician. If that doesn't work, try this website to locate a child psychiatrist in your area:
It sounds like she may be facing more rejection from the peers that she wants to be with than she is admitting to and is acting out to show that she doesn't care. The problem is, she cares too much and is hurting deeply.
Contact her pediatrician and tell him or her that you feel that its urgent that your daughter gets help as quickly as possible. Explain that you are worried that she is going to be hurt irreparably without immediate intervention.
If that doesn't help, you can always call for an ambulance if you see her hurting herself and hope that gets some immediate attention for her.
I feel for you! Its so hard to see your child hurting and not be able to do anything. Don't give up. Keep reaffirming how much you love her and giving her as much positive attention as possible. Look for positive things to tell her about herself, assure her that she is nearly an adult and that life after high school offers a lot more opportunity for friendship and acceptance.
Good luck! I hope that she feels better soon! Maybe something has justPossibly...i know she was having problems in school ... not being the most popular person that is... she never said anything to me - heard it from another adult who worked at the school that I knew.
She is also very much her own person and wants to be her own person...but she also wants to fit in...and because she is very 'out-there' in her style and sometimes her actions...she has actually been at times rejected by her own peer group and has turned to kids slightly older than her.
thanks for the feedback..she doesn't talk to me about much these days, so maybe i can slightly prod her to see if anything is going on...
how old is she. If she's a teen then ill bet she's telling you how popular sheMy daughter was diagnosed in grade 4 after each year in school and at home becoming more difficult and more frustrating. We sought medical advice and after about 6 months it became clear that medication was required. Things appeared to improve...
However, my life has been a rollercoaster for about the past year. My daughter, recently 13, has been giving me a run for my money. She has gotten into trouble at school - to the point of almost being expelled, she doesn't have interests in anything except friends - and they appear to be not a great influence on her, she 'hates' everything and shows little regard for anyone's feelings or property. She recently ran away and I had to involve the RCMP to find her. She either says she 'doesn't care' when confronted....or 'leave me alone I hate you' and 'it's my fault she behaves the way she does cause i don't let her do anything'. She is on a waiting list for counselling of which she says she doesn't want to go to.
I find myself at a loss most times, not knowing how to respond or talk to her and lately all we do is scream at each other. She has so much drive and motivation and passion - but it is so misdirected. She has a huge heart and is eager to please and I have been told that she, if not guided, would be a the 'perfect victim'..especially if she continues on this path...
I'm a single mom with 3 children and I wish I could give her my undivided attention - but it just isn't possible. I work full time and try my best - but feel as though I am failing where it counts most. I've lost complete control of her and do not know how to regain it.
Is there anyone else experiencing this with their teen child with ADHD?
She may have more than ADHD. You should have her evaluated by a board-certified child psychiatrist.Her pediatrician only suggested counselling ...but thank you I will look into it. She is just so angry with the world and me. It seems the more disciplined I try to be with her, the more resentful she is of me.I'm not sure, my ex husband suffered from anxiety and depression and he was never this angry - he was more sad and didn't really want to do anything or go anywhere. She constantly wants to go! She has been worse since our separation and I have no doubt this has added to her insecurities and anger. I also realize teenage girls (as I have a 16 year old too) can be a handful - even without ADHD. But I could always reason with her older sister (who is not ADHD). There is no reasoning with her and what worries me most is she sees no wrong with her actions or behavior - its like I'm just over-reacting. She is also boarding self mutilation - piercings (which she does herself) - recently pierced her own lip. I know she needs help and I have been trying to juggle so many things and the waiting list is long for counselling - how do i push her to the top of the waiting list? Sometimes its just helpful to vent to people who are going through the same frustrations. Sometimes I feel like I need to be on medication!
Kids present depression differently from adults. It can show up as anger or irritability. The self-mutiliation is another red flag for dperession. Counseling is good, once you have a proper diagnosis. The best medical professional to make that diagnosis is a child psychiatrist. Good luck.Where do I go to get referred to a child psychiatrist - her pediatrician? or does the counsellor have to refer you? or do I hunt for one myself?
I appreciate this advice so much and it is very comforting to be able to talk about this stuff and not have people judge you or think you are too strict or over-reacting or crazy!
I get remarks like 'oh you know teenagers' and stuff like that! I do know teenagers and I know her behavior is not, for lack of a better word, 'normal' teenage behavior. She is harmful to herself, compulsive, over-the-top...etc. etc.
Thanks again and I will absolutely look into getting her to a psyciatrist!