Out of control Senior | ADHD Information

My 18 year old is a senior in high school.  she has had many emotional problems lately.  To start last year she ran away from home.  In October she returned home very apologitic for her behavior.  In February she ran away again only to return 3 weeks later when the boyfriend threw her down a flight of stairs and she received a concushion.  since then she is even more moody than before and is very jealouse of her 8 year old sister and is even MEAN to her.  I don't ask her to care for her sister unless it is absolutely necessary because I'm affraid she will harm her in some way.  Now the 8 year old is acting out.  She is taking things that belong to other family members ie money, make-up, jewerly etc. and has cut her hair twice in the last two weeks this last time to the scalp.  What is happening to my family?

That sounds all to familar! I was a horrible teenager and put my parents through hell. First thing is, is she on any kind of birthcontrol? That not only keeps her a little safer but I found that it would make my moods a little less moody. And maybe you need to have blood work done to see if she has another kind of chemical imbalance besides ADHD. I take a combo of birthcontrol and Lexapro and that is what keeps me normal. I would also run check on her friends and boyfriends. My Mom had my uncle (who was a cop) run a check on every guy I think I ever dated. She also was very good at not living with her head in the sand and I think I was always guilty until proven inicent! Just hang in there! I turned out normal but you have to ride her butt and fight for her. Just think of how much time you will have to catch up on your sleep when she is in her 20's! :)

 Senior year of HS is tough. There are so many changes that people go through then. Is your daughter in counseling? Do you know if she self-medicating at all with Alchohol or drugs? 

What's up with this boyfriend throwing her down stairs. How long has she been dating him. Is it around the same time the problems started. I'd be moody and have emotional problems too if my boyfriend was beating me. Sounds to me like she's using drugs, I had a huge substance abuse problem I didnt act like that but Id lose it all the time, punch holes in walls, fight with my parents constanly, did horrible in school.  Get her drug tested don't tell her your doign it though because she will flip out take her to the doctor and when you get there tell her shes haveing a drug test when she gets in the room.  I dont know for sure but I'm about 90% sure shes on drugs or using, I cant say for sure but I really think she is.  Or she could have adhd or add that lwent undiagnosed and it will affect her impulse control and judgement.  Or shes on drugs and has undiagnosed add or adhd