What options are there for your troubled teenager if they have relapsed from a mental disorder?
If a troubled teen relapses from a mental disorder, not only will they be experiencing a sudden struggle of emotions but they might also have to deal with the stress of their parents’ reactions. Your reaction to your teen’s behaviour is often a concept that is overlooked when one discusses relapses in mentally ill teens. But your reaction to their relapse as parent is a very important issue. It may be difficult to put your disappointment in the background but you must put what is in the best interest of your child in the foreground. Any type of relapse from a disorder can place one in a fog of initial disappointment, but it is important to fight through whatever feelings of disappointment you may be suddenly overwhelmed with in order to provide your teenager with the support he/she needs at the time that he/she needs it the most.
Don’t be afraid of a relapse, give your teen a chance!
Don’t be afraid of a relapse. Getting things just perfect the very first time is abnormal. As human beings, it takes tries to get things right. Give your teen a chance. Any added pressure from a teenager’s parent can lead a teen tumbling into a relapse that he/she may have merely stumbled upon. Ironically, the fastest way to help a teen out of a relapse is taking the time to understand what may have brought it upon your teen in the first place.
Your understanding and patience is what your child needs the most at a time like this.
Approach the relapse as you would your first take upon your troubled teen’s disorder. Your teen is experiencing familiar feelings that may instill fear in him/her. This is because these “familiar feelings” are directly connected to the negative experiences that he/she may have grown accustomed to with his/her struggle through the particular disorder. With this “familiarity” comes a certain dread that can be upsetting and destabilizing. In a certain way, your teenager may feel off-balance. The main difference between now and his/her first bout with the disorder is the fact that at present he/she may be equipped with the tactics to keep one’s self afloat. He/she will need to muster up the courage from within in order to make the best use of these tactics which your child may have garnered from psychotherapy or counseling. Remind your teen about these useful tactics and encourage him/her to battle through any negative familiarity of the disorder with the positive feelings he/she has garnered through therapy.
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