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Mental health

ParentingAutism

Hi all again, hope you are well. My daughter is really struggling with her mental health again, yesterday and today really showing it. I didn't know this until she said she is struggling this evening and wanted everything to just 'go away'. She has lost interest in most things except Criminal Minds. She is struggling massively in school, constantly crying but communicating but today was carving distressing words into walls with a nail she found also swearing, shouting and becoming pushy with staff who wanted to help. She has spoken partly about her issues, all around her brain and how much she struggles on a day to day basis and wants to be put on medication. We have spoken to the doctor and he is putting in a CAMHS referral again to see if she can get extra help or medication (in February they turned us away because she wasn't 'struggling enough' and all her anxiety is because of autism so couldn't do anything. 

She tried taking her life 3 times in 24 hours a few weeks ago, now has a huge fear of men after an incident, which staff are aware and doing their best to handle. Many things are triggering her and it seems as if she is living in the past rather than the present, currently. Her anxiety is massive which we are all working with her to help in any way possible. This morning she got the bus at 6.50am instead of 8.10am to miss school kids and people in general meaning she was waiting around for school for 2 hours. Due to how unsafe she was today, staff drove her home. 

I don't know what to do to help as such, she is refusing to talk to me about what's on her mind, but is talking to others which is amazing. School are requesting more professional help and the school counselor to see her weekly. It is taking her nearly 40 minutes to get from the school front into school every morning and then she point blank refuses to use any classrooms or do any work and work with staff. Staff are going to try different strategies from tomorrow hoping this will help her.

Any ideas on how to help will be very grateful. Have a good rest of the day. Thanks xx

  • in reply to Luftmentsch

    The counseller is part of the school organisation, I believe. The school does have a pastoral team which all are her favourite staff. She wouldn't have a reduced timetable or time off because we have been doing that for years and she can't cope with it or any more change. I have to pick and choose my battles because anything can trigger a huge response. She is meant to be seeing her dad this weekend, but she doesn't want to. Usually I would persuade her or tell her she is going, which she needs sometimes for someone to make the decision and she likes it. But if I do that, she could run away or do something which puts her life at risk. 

  • I had a feeling that your daughter keeps reacting against a negative experience with a man.

    Criminal Minds, SVU, etc are viewed as 'Therapeutic' by traumatised females.

  • I'm really sorry to read this. I don't really have any advice. It sounds like you are doing all you can at the moment. It's good that she is speaking to people about what is on her mind. Is the school counselor one of these people (you didn't make it clear).

    I feel that the best thing you can do for her right now is show how much you love her and how much she means to you, in whatever way she is comfortable with. And to chase CAMHS about her appointment. I would think anxiety meds might help even if the anxiety is rooted in her autism, although I am obviously not a psychiatrist.

    Is it possible to get time off from school or reduced time there? I obviously don't know what she would want or what the school would allow.