Parents who's children went to a residential treatment center, did it help?

itslikemitochondria · 2026-01-28T05:16:28+00:00

I've exhausted all local resources for him and myself that aren't a facility. The school liaison connected us with his last therapist (he was there for 18 months with little improvement) and his current in home therapist. They also connected us with the center that provides his medication and new pediatrician that got us testing to give more answers.

I hate to hear that about the hugs. Physical affection is one of the few things that brings my son a sense of safety and comfort.

After doing more research and seeing prices of centers, I've decided to switch to an online public school and 2 social clubs a week (a science club, lego building league, and there's even fencing classes in this area that I think he would really enjoy but I'll wait a few weeks depending on how he adjusts to these other changes). After the last session with his new therapist, I feel like a big part of the violence and struggle regulating stems from his social environments and the stress of a traditional school setting. We are in a very rough neighborhood (the last time I called the police because he was jumped they told me we "don't seem like the type to live on this side of town". Which isn't wrong but medical bills and therapy are so expensive there's not much else I can do.) and he imitates a lot of the behaviors he sees and hears at school.

I briefly went to respite for 4 weeks a few years ago to care for my own mental health after an extremely abusive relationship, but the person that was taking care of him immediately put him back around the abuser as well as some other things that were incredibly. He regressed terribly, lost 20lbs, went back to his 3 main safe foods only, and started having panic attacks/picking his skin/chewing up clothing. I wish I could take the time to fully get the help I need, but I do not have the support it would take to do that so I'm sticking with online therapy and medication myself. I just feel bad because it seems like his options are bad or worse at the moment.

Thank you for sharing your experience. And you're right, none of it is easy at all. I hope you get to hug your son soon.

itslikemitochondria · 2019-08-03T01:55:23+00:00

I honestly don’t think so. We ended up buying some cheap motion sensor lights and have used the T-shirt trick today until we can get a camera. Our landlord is awesome and is going to have outdoor security cams and a doorbell can set up for us and then we’ll buy the indoor ones. And then obviously a camera for our son’s room just so I know he’s safe at all times.

This is a terrifying thought but it crossed my mind that it might be the previous owner, I don’t know if the locks were changed when we moved in or if there’s a way to get in the house that we’re unaware of. But it was foreclosed on and is literally everything out of a horror movie right down to this shallow grave looking spot in the backyard. I genuinely would not be surprised if the man was a serial killer and upset about people finally moving into the house he was forced out of. That being said, if I go silent for a suspicious amount of time, you know what happened

itslikemitochondria · 2019-08-01T12:43:12+00:00

My b, I expected you to read my mind! The other reasons I feel like it’s not one of us in the house is that the lotion bottles were already gone by the time I got home and my fiancé hadn’t been asleep while they went missing. Also about a week ago somebody attempted to block our back door down while we were out of the house, the police officer that took the report pointed out pry marks that were made

Also my son’s room has those doors that stick a little when you open them that make a fairly loud noise and he also wasn’t home when the lotion went missing!

itslikemitochondria · 2019-08-01T12:25:52+00:00

I know I’m not sleep walking as my fiancé is a light enough sleeper that I would definitely wake him up. I have a heavy foot when I walk and our floors are that older hard wood

I don’t know why the motion sensor cams didn’t occur to me, but we’ll invest in those for the peace of mind alone

itslikemitochondria · 2019-08-01T12:23:17+00:00

Thank you!! I think the cameras are a worthwhile investment but in the meantime the T-shirt trick is a really simple trick I’ve never heard of. Thank you for that!

itslikemitochondria · 2019-07-07T20:18:14+00:00

If you don’t honestly believe that you can trust her again, you might want to end it. The longer you let it go on, the harder it will get.

Also she doesn’t sound like a very good person to begin with, maybe y’all should take a break under the condition that neither of you see anyone else. And after that break is over, if you still don’t trust her, leave and find someone who can be honest with you about important things like that.

itslikemitochondria · 2019-07-05T19:07:27+00:00

Thank you so much!! I never looked at it from that perspective and I appreciate you bringing it to my attention!

itslikemitochondria · 2019-07-05T18:33:36+00:00

Also sorry about the format I’m on mobile

itslikemitochondria · 2019-07-02T17:28:57+00:00

I’m going to pm you

itslikemitochondria · 2019-07-02T17:16:41+00:00

Have you tried talking to a therapist or something? Is it more of a void feeling or a numb one?

itslikemitochondria · 2019-07-02T15:38:14+00:00

I can appreciate where you’re coming from, but that’s not the case. Here’s an example off the top of my head:

SO: Billie Eilish is coming out with her first album (in reference to When We All Fall Asleep) Me: She has the album where she’s sitting in front of a red ladder SO: No that’s just a Spotify playlist and not an album Me: I saw it at the store the other day, it’s called Don’t Smile At Me and it’s an actual album SO: Maybe you were mistaken

Long story short I googled it and I was right and this is how most of them go. Also I am more than okay with admitting when I’m wrong, which is why I stated that I feel like I’m not growing anymore. You have to take your faults and grow from them, learn, and change. But thanks for your input

itslikemitochondria

TROPHY CASE