IF your child admitted to cutting and taking pills..

[Anonymous]

over the counter but nonetheless in dangerous quanities. And not just little scratches, but big gashes across her arms. 

how would you react?

I ask because I was always made to feel like an attention whore. I told my mom i got sick and od'd on ibuprofen because I was scared she wouldnt let me move back in and I was no longer wanted where I was staying and all she did was laugh at me and say, "pff you actually thought that would kill you?" I was fourteen maybe fifteen idk I can't remember. I wish she fuckin turned me over to ministry care. By the time I was sixteen, I had already gotten into drugs, and i carry self-inflicted scars up and down my left arm and leg to this day. It had turned into a major addiction and I stopped when I got too good at it, and then started again when I was around eighteen. I realized that this time I was older and better at it and forced myself to decide to completely change my living situation or admit myself to the psych ward. I have to live with these reminders that no one wanted to help me, or i wouldnt let them. Idk. 

[hisgirl616]

Psychiatric help immediately. I can't imagine going through this with my dd. Good luck!

[Hierophant85]

I used to cut a lot. I understand where you're coming from I ran off a couple times. After I ran off and spent the night in a hotel with a guy when I was 17 my mom said she was going to get me into therapy. Wen she found out our insurance didn't cover it she refused to find me a therapist.
She saw my cuts once, about a week or two before graduation and said 'why would you do that? I can't believe you would cut yourself.' it was more of an accusation than anything.
We get along ok now but I don't really get personal with her. We talk about work (we work for the same company) or the kids but that's about it.

[Hierophant85]

And if I found out my child was doing it, I'd be there like my mom wasn't for me.

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

Same - and I'd listen the first time, and not make fun of her. 

[LCG83]

My mom told me to cut it out and grow up. Well obviously that didn't work. I think I would have been best served to get into counseling or something right away. I wish I had a better relationship that we could have talked about it. She always failed to see how terribly depressed I was. She looked at me as nothing more than an attention seeker and treated me as such. I always try to say positive words to my son daily to build up his self esteem.

[Anonymous]

I have cutting scars up and down my inner forearm. It's humiliating now. I was 15-17 when I cut. I did it a LOT. I also cut my thighs, but don't have scars there that show up. I am so sorry your mom reacted that way. My parents just took the razors (didn't do any good), and kept it "hush hush". I quit doing it on my own. I also overcame bulimia on my own too (still struggle sometimes though). 

If this happened to my child, I would send them to a live in rehab center, that was a top level center. Prepare while they were getting treatment for their return, and making sure precautions were taken to prevent them from getting triggered easily.

[pasteeater]

I'd walk them through every step of recovery. I'd help them if they stumbled. I'd love them and help them. No matter what the cost to me.

[cjsix]

 I'd would be scared for them and get them help as quickly as I could. Hugs for those who have gone through this...

[ashleighmama]

Omg! I would be so sad and cry but I would be there for either of my sons. I was a depressed teenager and cut a little, overdosed a few times and was bulimic for about 4 yrs. My mom didnt understand but she was ALWAYS there for me and she got me help. I would help my sons no matter what! Somedays THEY are what keep ME alive.

[Anonymous]

I cut myself and my parents found out and did nothing.