Hi teencentral. I am wondering if a residential treatment program or a therapeutic boarding school is right for me. I am diagnosed with ptsd, adhd, severe depression and anxiety… I struggle with self harm, suicide attempts , hospitalizations, abuse, hallucinations, relationship struggles, panic attacks…..I’ve been to 5 different therapists and none of them helped. My current therapist says she can’t do anything else for me because she’s not trained in what I’m going through. We can’t afford anyone else but her, and anyways my mom would not allow it because she is very very VERY against getting me more help even though I need it as it is hard to live like this every day. She dosent believe I need more help, and whenever a medical professional tells her I do need more help, she laughs and almost never goes through with it. I seriously don’t know what to do now because I know I need more help, but no one will let me have it. I also texted crisis line to see if they had any recommendations, but sadly the consuler who was on the line with me told me to just calm down. I feel like no one is listening, when I need help the most. Is there a way I can get more help even though no one will allow me to? I know that’s probably not available and I don’t want anything online, but I just want help:
Help Yourself:
It must be very frustrating to feel like no one is ever listening to you. A lot of times, that is all a person needs when life gets overwhelming. Feeling that we are heard is some of the best support a person can get. Here at TeenCentral we can provide guides and assistance for tackling these feelings and relationships. So, thank you so much for being brave and reaching out with all these great questions!
If you are ever feeling unsafe, or you feel so sad that you have no one you can turn to please reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. They are available 24 hours a day, you can contact them by calling 1-800-273-8255. You can also reach them by their website https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org. A fantastic component of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is that you can reach out to them through text. All you need to do is text “Hello” to 741-741. There is always someone just a text or click away.
You said that you are already meeting with a professional therapist on a regular basis, which is fantastic! Sometimes, it takes meeting with a few different therapists before you find one that collaborates well with you and with which you are comfortable. Do not feel bad that you have seen as many as you have, this is all just a part of your healing journey. Take your time to fully express and explain yourself and what is going on to her, that way she can do her best with what is given. Residential treatment may seem like the only option, but often something that takes a long time, referral from a professional therapist, and is often minimally used by insurance companies for treatment. If you feel as though your therapist is not the one for you there are options. You would find this information by calling the number on the back of your insurance card. A representative will be able to provide you with the therapists in your network.
Do you have any other trusted family members that you feel comfortable speaking with about these things and about how to talk with your mother? If so, give it a chance, they might surprise you. In the end everyone wants you safe. Your safety is key priority.
Consider This:
What do you spend your days doing? Reading? Writing? How about any arts and crafts or exercise? Many find writing a plan and brainstorming talking points is a wonderful way to work through challenging times as well as preparing for difficult conversations.
I suggest adventuring through our website and checking out all the different links. Two great options are the What’s New tab and Stories tab. Here you will be able to read blog entries about the topics you have mentioned as well as read entries from other young writers to TeenCentral.
Also take time to navigate through the Tools and Learn tabs. The Learn tab offer information and resources on topics such as Anxiety, Depression, Self-Injury, Suicide, and Wellness. In the Tools tab you can find guides and activities for such topics as Depression, Making Hard Decisions, Weekly Mood Tracker, and Self Positive Talk.
Remember that fresh air and exercise are great ways to help ease the mind and anxiety. Take advantage to the seasons and go outside for walks, hikes, and adventures. If you are unable to do so, then remember how much writing and journaling can be helpful. Start new hobbies and express yourself through them. Working with our hands helps to heal the mind and body.
