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Question

my son is 18yrs old, He has a history of self harming which i neglected as he stopped after liaising with school, regarding bullying.
I know he's been taking cannabis (skunk) for a long time. I am very concerned especially after reading symptoms of manic depressive disorder. He is so bad now my husband who is disabled sleeps with a hammer under his bed. His mood swings are such as in the space of 2 minutes he was irritable, violent,shaking, shallow breathing to crying. He has spoken of "higher powers" and other weird things. He WONT go to the doctors. What should I do??

Submitted: 254 days and 22 hours ago.
Category: Mental Health
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 18; Male, United Kingdom

Already Tried:
I myself am being treated with depressive disorder. So I am sorry to say I havent coped very well with this. Mainly he's gone to his grandparents. After a week of irritablity and no drugs he 'seems' to be okay. However, he is self harming (cutting). He blames me for this. I blame myself. I try talking to him, but he unnerves me. He has already threatened me and my husband. Has beaten his younger brother. I have suggested visiting his GP but he refuses.

Accepted Answer

XXXXXXXX,

 

The level of aggression and violence that your son is showing, in addition to the mood symptoms you've described, makes this an emergency situation. I would suggest that you take your son to an emergency mental health facility for immediate evaluation (either a hospital or crisis center). You and your husband cannot manage your son's symptoms on your own and he requires further help than you can give. If you cannot get him to go with you to one of these facilities I would suggest that you call the police and explain the situation. (I don't know how it works in the UK, but in the US the police can sign an order of involuntary hospitalization which means that the person is required to go to a psychiatric facility for further evaluation. The hospital can then determine whether or not he needs to stay there for treatment or receive outpatient treatment somewhere else.)

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Expert: Lively
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 3/11/2009

Psychologist

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, 10 years experience working with individuals, couples, & families

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