Ahhh.. shoplifting season, new clothes coming in, lots of people. Yep i did it too, till I got caught. You are absolutely right about not going with her sister, Caitlyn will only become worse and more defient. I don't think your other daughter ( understanding though), grasps how big this is, she probably said take her out of the environment to see if she would be better living with her. This is not ordinary teenage stuff, I am sure you aren't at the house promoting stealing. My parents , I recall said Nickie why are you stealing why don't you just ask us for it? They could afford it too, NOT THE POINT. Even if I had money on me, ( worked at 15) I would steal stuff rather than pay for it. It was an adrenalin rush, and I could spend my money on whatever. Wasn't till I got older and realized hey, that's why clothes are more expensive, dah. I now understand. about the cutting, I am with you , I never wanted anyone to see my marks on my arms, luckily I didn't do it so often, I really have no scars, but then again this was like 15 yrs. ago. I used to cut my legs too, I have more scars on them. I am not sure why she shows them , unless she wants people to know, but I am sure she doesn't tell them what she is going through when she cuts. This may sound odd, but I have known people that thought it was kinda cool to cut. I personally thought they were weird. I know everytime I cut myself, I was sad, depressed, crying while i did it, and i remeber now talking about it, I used to say , I wish someone could help me.I desperately wanted help but was too embarassed to show or admit what I was doing. I don't ever recall pain either coming from the cut itself, but more like the relief of the pain. Maybe it's not for attention , but a plea of help, but not wanting to let you in at the same time. I hope that makes sense. One more thing if not too personal, is she having sex that you know of? That is also a sign of destructive behavior? What does she think of herself? Is she a me person, or a person who thinks highly of herself... or does she not like herself? Curious to know.Fell free to keep chatting, and if you want , you can start a new thread, you will get more input possibly too. Also does she like to paint or play an instrument, write poems? Most Bp's have a creative side to them, and are very good at that hobby or interest! Talk to ya soon PJ....Nickie
Nickie posted yesterday....don't know where it went, probably the same place those missing socks go when you put two socks in the wash and only one comes out. lol I'm taking your advice about the journal because with so much going on it is hard to remember it all. I forgot to tell you that a couple of months ago we had to take the internet away from her because we had guys calling in the middle of the night saying that they had been talking to her online and she gave them her phone number. Right back to that risky behaviour that has the potential of getting her hurt or worse. This week we are back to driving cars.....Monday a classmate gave her a ride home from school and let Caitlin drive and taught her how to do "BURN OUTS", yesterday yet another classmate let her drive.....she came pulling in the driveway all proud she had been driving around the subdivision and practicing her burnouts. I tried to talk to her about getting into trouble for it and her attitude was "So what", I told her she could hurt herself or an innocent person "so what"and that her Dad and I are legally responsible for her "so what"! Caitlins Dad tried talking to her and she just said okay I heard you now can I leave. He told her that we are going to have to hopitalize her and get her stabilized on her meds and she laughed and said "You're going to have me hospitalized for driving a car....that is the most insane thing I've ever heard" You asked about her sexual behaviour...well I know there have been four and you know what they say about cockroaches....for every one you see there are ten in hiding lol. Caitlin is also sexual in nature like coming up to me and asking me if I want a lap dance while girating her hips in front of me and I tell her to knock it off to which she replies "Oh come on mom you know you want me to". I just pray I can get her the help she needs before it is too late. ~PJ 
OK, I hope I'm not just butting in here, but I just have to intervene - what are you waiting for to hospitalize this girl? Talking to her will make absolutely no difference! And true to form, she laughed in your face at your empy threat. She's right, she just doesn't care. You CANNOT reason with a manic bipolar. Even an adult one. At first I wasn't quite sure if she was just being a rebellious teen, but now I am as sure as s***. The provacative behaviour towards you is the biggest clue of all.
PJ, she is very very sick, she needs help TODAY. Not whenever her next appt is, not when they change her meds, but now. She could kill herself or someone else waiting for an appt. or new meds to kick in.
Please do something for her - and you - today.
Variety is the spice of life, BP is the key
Okay not rationalizing anything or supporting anything... Hope this makes sense? Where are the parents of these other kids? Also how old is she again 16? My gosh you have more than my parents had. When my dad said something to me i shook in my pants, always knew it was coming, however I made a bad decision ( lots), but never thought about my punishment. Boy when it came, I literally feared my father. It was enough to not do it again. Not meaning he was abusive ( well not physically), emotionally and verbally yeah. Don't do that! 
Geez, Caitlyn is undermining everything you say. What is the penalty or consequence of her actions? How is she discilpined? NOt saying what your doing is wrong, but something isn't working. She keeps acting out and desperately needs help. Whatever that may be. A lap dance are you kidding me, yep heading right into a dark world there. I never did do anything of that nature , crap i can't even say stuff like that to my mom, she laughs about how embarassed I get. Okay, glad you took the journal into consideration. Do it when it's quite and no when is around. you can go back and analyze things too, that's what I do. Like okay, did I see this coming ; what events led up to this to let me know? I am a serious over analyzer and a deep thinker. I bet your daughter will be, if she isn't already. What does your husband think about the entire situation? Does he just think she is acting out in the developmental stages, or does he understand the seriousness of her condition? Gosh I ask alot of questions. is she taking birth control or do you know if she is using protection. I will take a stab at it , and say no. She is doing things " in the moment" , and thinking there are NO consequences. Super woman .. or teenager. She's sassy mouth I can almost guess, I was. Jp, it's time to do something or in a year or less you will be picking your daughter up from jail or worse. ( Not trying to imply anything or scare you , but her actions show you that. No care about the laws, or anything else. Bring someone to your home if you have to. If you don't know what to ... do anything ( by law), that will keep her safe and others. If that means the hospital , so be it. She thinks it's because she was driving a car... no it's all her actions and deviant behavior combined. Don't threaten something you willnot follow through with, because she will continue this behavior and not take you seriously. If she gets mad , well tell her what she tells you " so what". Then explain it is for her safety, your family's safety , and most important because you love her. She won't see it that way , but it's the only thing to do. i have been in a hospital, not for BP, but my mom pretty much sad I was following the path of my father, alcoholism. I thought it was normal, he** everyone around me drank , adults , family members( not my mom ). I realized one day, before dx with BP, that if I go through the day and think about alcohol then I need help. I still find myself , very rare, slipping and I have to tell myself the bottle is not the answer, FACE you fears and problems and deal with them. I really wish i could be there to help, I am great with kids of all ages. When there teens well, then can relate with or to me because I am a little younger. jp, please don't wait. This is serious, i lost 2 friends this year. Both self -medicating, one close to my age the other older. I didn't see it coming with either. You never know what goes on in someone's head, especially a teenager. but I can tell you , I did think about suicide alot when I was younger. not saying that she will do that, but don't let her get too far gone.... she is close now. i am concerned for her and you are in my thoughts each day. Remember to not neglect your own self, but going through all this, stress can take a toll on your body. I also hope that your whole family sticks together, because you need your husbands support in all the decisions you 2 will make. I sound like a therapist or something today. Not trying to prech, very concerned and I want to help. PLease right back . Sincerely Nickie
Geez, Caitlyn is undermining everything you say. What is the penalty or consequence of her actions? How is she discilpined? NOt saying what your doing is wrong, but something isn't working. She keeps acting out and desperately needs help. Whatever that may be. A lap dance are you kidding me, yep heading right into a dark world there. I never did do anything of that nature , crap i can't even say stuff like that to my mom, she laughs about how embarassed I get. Okay, glad you took the journal into consideration. Do it when it's quite and no when is around. you can go back and analyze things too, that's what I do. Like okay, did I see this coming ; what events led up to this to let me know? I am a serious over analyzer and a deep thinker. I bet your daughter will be, if she isn't already. What does your husband think about the entire situation? Does he just think she is acting out in the developmental stages, or does he understand the seriousness of her condition? Gosh I ask alot of questions. is she taking birth control or do you know if she is using protection. I will take a stab at it , and say no. She is doing things " in the moment" , and thinking there are NO consequences. Super woman .. or teenager. She's sassy mouth I can almost guess, I was. Jp, it's time to do something or in a year or less you will be picking your daughter up from jail or worse. ( Not trying to imply anything or scare you , but her actions show you that. No care about the laws, or anything else. Bring someone to your home if you have to. If you don't know what to ... do anything ( by law), that will keep her safe and others. If that means the hospital , so be it. She thinks it's because she was driving a car... no it's all her actions and deviant behavior combined. Don't threaten something you willnot follow through with, because she will continue this behavior and not take you seriously. If she gets mad , well tell her what she tells you " so what". Then explain it is for her safety, your family's safety , and most important because you love her. She won't see it that way , but it's the only thing to do. i have been in a hospital, not for BP, but my mom pretty much sad I was following the path of my father, alcoholism. I thought it was normal, he** everyone around me drank , adults , family members( not my mom ). I realized one day, before dx with BP, that if I go through the day and think about alcohol then I need help. I still find myself , very rare, slipping and I have to tell myself the bottle is not the answer, FACE you fears and problems and deal with them. I really wish i could be there to help, I am great with kids of all ages. When there teens well, then can relate with or to me because I am a little younger. jp, please don't wait. This is serious, i lost 2 friends this year. Both self -medicating, one close to my age the other older. I didn't see it coming with either. You never know what goes on in someone's head, especially a teenager. but I can tell you , I did think about suicide alot when I was younger. not saying that she will do that, but don't let her get too far gone.... she is close now. i am concerned for her and you are in my thoughts each day. Remember to not neglect your own self, but going through all this, stress can take a toll on your body. I also hope that your whole family sticks together, because you need your husbands support in all the decisions you 2 will make. I sound like a therapist or something today. Not trying to prech, very concerned and I want to help. PLease right back . Sincerely Nickie