madameris,

Welcome to TBMF.  It is not normal teen behavior to do self-injury.  Something is going on with your dd, and I encourage you to obtain a second or third opinion.  It would be helpful if she could be referred for neuro-psych testing.  In the meantime (while you are looking for a child and adolescent pdoc) be sure to take precautions to keep her safe--lock up all meds, hide the knives, scissors and other sharp objects, put away ropes.  Here is a link to the AACAP physician finder. 

These kids can say some really cutting things to us parents, but try to keep in mind that she is not herself, and this is mostly verbal vomit and a reflection of how she is feeling inside.  Be sure to check out the "Getting Started" article under the "Learn" tab at the top of the page.

--

Brenda,51, TBMF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 17 1/2, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Lamictal, Cytomel, Allegra
E, 16, BP,AS: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, inositol, Buspar
B, 14 1/2 & H, 11 1/2
Married 18 years to DH, 51

FROM TBMF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.

madameris,

Brenda gives good advice.  I would like to add a reminder for safety first.  If she is dangerous to herself or others where somebody could actually get hurt, call your local crisis center and try to get an ambulance and a hospital admission.  I realize this is easier in some communities than others.

Be sure to check out the CAM forums and the archives.  I wish somebody had pointed us to it up front and we had realized that the majority of our daughters dfficulties could be through supplements and diet changes.  We have had to have a real lifestyle change with food.  For today this is no food preservatives, no food coloring, no grains of any kind,  no dairy products, no sugar, no chemical names on the label, almost nothing in a box or package, nearly 100% home cooking, lots of veggies, lots of meat, lots of nuts, a small amount of a low-glycemic fruit.  In my personal opinion, It is more effort than a pill from the doctor and if you can make it work, it should represent a much higher level of stability than is possible with meds.   I also realize that for a teenager, it could take initial stabilization with meds and her complete buy in.

Also this web site has a support group section.  It is closed, so that you can air out what's on your mind.  Sort of like an on-line NAMI.  I'd suggest it.

We wish you the best of luck and we hope that the waters ahead are not too turbulent.  You and your daughter will make it through this.

Brian

--

Daughter 7 BP/violent rages. Unsuccessful with multiple meds. Now almost 100% stable (Since before Christmas and until this week) on 0.5 mg Risperidone and going lower + Restrictive diet + EMPowerPlus + AminoPowerplus + NAC + Q10 + low dose lithium + melatonin + inositol
Son (5) Normal
Wife (CathyK now also on TBMF) BP, on same diet and supplements & reducing meds.

I got her a meeting with a counselor.I dont know what to do,and yesterday everything was fine like nothing happened..Monday night was hell on earth and Tuesday night it was all good..One minute she screams she hates me,wishes i was dead,wishes she was dead,name calling and other hysterics.to asking me to make brownies with her like nothing happened..The other kids in the house don't want to talk to her cause they don't know which Courtney will respond..I'm so glad i found this page and now that i sat down and read the "Getting Started" part,i don't feel so lost.Even if it just is teen emotions and thats it ,hopefully this counselor will help..Thanks

Monday night was hell on earth and Tuesday night it was all good..One minute she screams she hates me,wishes i was dead,wishes she was dead,name calling and other hysterics.to asking me to make brownies with her like nothing happened...

You are describing a symptom. They call it the "Ultradian cycling" of "bipolar disorder" When my older daughter had this ultra-ultra rapid cycling she would get what is called "mixed states" and cut herself as a way of relieving the horrible feelings of STRESS from it. The pdoc kept saying she was "just moody" right up until she became suicidal and hospitalized and diagnosed with bipolar. Then she spent over a decade dealing with awful bipolar no one could really get under control and give her a good life. Only to find out later that she really needed individualized treatment - REAL individualized treatment with MEDICAL type testing and CAM type treatment before she actually got better. (You can read about the start of that here, when she was first better).

--Jeanie aka "Naomi"
It's Not Mental-Facebook
Older dd: formerly(?) teen-onset bipolar (morphed into ultradian cycling): "Recovered" after over 13 years - stable off psych meds almost two years. Now fine on just diet changes and higher thyroid levels (after healing - addressing gut issues/Candidal overgrowth while using EMPowerPlus and other supplements). She added a little EMpowerPlus back on as a multivitamin simply because she feels better on it - gets sick less often.
Younger dd: formerly(?) Childhood-onset schizoaffective, TS, OCD, anxiety, PTSD, migraines. After over 15 years, is now "recovered" for  5 years after treating endocrine issues, food sensitivities, gut issues, sleep issues, nutritional/mitochondrial needs.