For what it is worth, when I had my eating disorder (bulimia and anorexia....) and my heart was slowed , I had motor problems, blood pressure bottomed out, and I had to go in the hospital they told me I could die and I did tell them by that point that I didn't care... I wanted to die, etc..... I just had no hope and no way to pull out of it myself. (gosh feels like a different person to say that... more than 20 years ago)
People will often say about Q... he is doing that for attention. I usually say, well that is not a bad thing. Wanting or needing more attention is a legitimate issue. Not having the skills to solve the problem is his issue. How can he get these desires for interaction and attention met in a way that does not interfere with other students etc..... Just MHO but even if someone is doing attention-seeking behavior (which I keep reading is often the go to reason people think of but it is not usually the complete underlying problem... may be a layer) then it is really important to figure out what is going on..... It is just as legitimate a need and skill deficit as any other behavior.
No way I am saying that this is an attention seeking issue, but I was considering the opinion because I think many people might think that and there are times with Q I question too....if this gets too much attention am I going to make it worse?? So, I was thinking OK lets pretend that is the case... my gut said it is still too risky to ignore. I really dont think it is just to get attention but say it was, I worry that the problem in Matt's case would still be that due to his poor nutrition it is making what is already a disorganized manner of thinking and problem solving (due to the NonVerbal Learning Disorder (NVLD), anxiety, ptsd etc.) even worse. In that state one can't think rationally and just like anyone who "wants to die" it needs to be taken seriously. He may not be able to express it like a non difficult child.... He may just mean this is too hard....
Do you think a program-we have here--.... a "sober" house of sorts for people who have eating issues....and other programs for gen. mental health....would be helpful? I wonder if for boys this whole thing can be very different. His living on his own is not going so great, but I realize he doesn't feel comfortable in groups... so hope he can find a supported apt program or something like that....
I know for sure that there is a program for mental health like that in the mpls area... wonder if you guys have that.... (once he is thru a treatment program) people who have on going mental health issues enter an apartment program...they have their own apts. but they have whatever level of support their team feels is needed...therapists, mentors, life skills coaches, etc.... to come in and help them... from financial, to shopping etc. Not like apt. training for cognitively disabled people, it was for people who needed levels from basic encouragement to more intense therapy and medical management...not a group home so no being with people he wouldn't be able to relate to) Matt would say he hates anything like that if you can find it I bet, but if he is needing the support, he may need medical guardianship to force the issue. If he is too dependent on you (you were trying to pull back, right? sorry if I am wrong) maybe someone else can take on temporary medical guardianship. Esp if doctors say he really is in life threatening condition. No idea if he needs that level of care but just throwing the idea out there.
I hope his therapist finds a spot for him somewhere.... no one deserves to feel so lousy.
