RalphH
01-06-2008, 09:41 AM
This time last year, my 17-year-old son was an A/B student. Since then we had evidence of increasing involvement with marijuana and he finished his sophomore year with straight Cs. His junior year started well, but around November 1, he stopped doing all homework, apparently began smoking marijuana heavily and hanging out with bad company.
He received the diagnosis of ADHD last summer and started on medication in early December but does not like to take it. He also started seeing a psychiatrist in December, who seems to be establishing a relationship after two previous therapists could not.
He is overwhelmed with health issues and consequences of his actions: sinus operation in November, ADHD diagnosis, involvement in a drug diversion program due to an arrest, school problems, speeding violation.
His mom and I are separated and have joint custody. He spends half the week in each house. His mom has a psychiatric disability and her house is disordered. He won’t eat in her kitchen because so much spoiled food is left out. If he were younger I would attempt to get custody, but he is nearly 18 and loves his mom. She is a former therapist who stresses on the importance of boundaries for him but does not enforce the rules we mutually agree on.
Over the holidays, he got so angry with his mom that he shoplifted some shoes and was arrested. Two days later he blew up at me because he felt I was trying to control him, and has refused to talk with me since. It seems like he is falling apart and I don’t know how to respond. His psychiatrist says he is narcissistic and needs to face real consequences for his irresponsible actions. I am worried sick and at a loss for what to do.
He received the diagnosis of ADHD last summer and started on medication in early December but does not like to take it. He also started seeing a psychiatrist in December, who seems to be establishing a relationship after two previous therapists could not.
He is overwhelmed with health issues and consequences of his actions: sinus operation in November, ADHD diagnosis, involvement in a drug diversion program due to an arrest, school problems, speeding violation.
His mom and I are separated and have joint custody. He spends half the week in each house. His mom has a psychiatric disability and her house is disordered. He won’t eat in her kitchen because so much spoiled food is left out. If he were younger I would attempt to get custody, but he is nearly 18 and loves his mom. She is a former therapist who stresses on the importance of boundaries for him but does not enforce the rules we mutually agree on.
Over the holidays, he got so angry with his mom that he shoplifted some shoes and was arrested. Two days later he blew up at me because he felt I was trying to control him, and has refused to talk with me since. It seems like he is falling apart and I don’t know how to respond. His psychiatrist says he is narcissistic and needs to face real consequences for his irresponsible actions. I am worried sick and at a loss for what to do.