Let's talk life: My daughter's odd behaviour

Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson, Gleaner Writer

Dear Counsellor:

My teenage daughter has been acting strangely for the past two weeks. She stays in her room all the time and does not socialise with members of the family.

She talks to herself and laughs inappropriately. She is doing poorly at school and is not sleeping well at night.

What is wrong with my daughter?

- Monica

Dear Monica:

Your daughter needs to see a psychiatrist, as she seems to be suffering from a mental illness.

Is this the first episode of illness? Are there family members who have mental illness? Do you think she may be on drugs? What was her personality before this illness?

Teenagers may develop mental illness but recover some time after and are able to go back to school and get a career.

Some individuals are more prone to developing mental illness. Sometimes certain stressors precipitate a psychotic episode. Ganja and cocaine can precipitate psychosis. Individuals who have suffered sexual abuse are vulnerable to develop various psychiatric illnesses.

Some psychiatric disorders usually start during adolescence.

There are psychiatrists all across the island who can treat her. There are also child guidance clinics across the island, so you can take her to one of them. A detailed history and physical examination needs to be done. There are physical disorders that can precipitate a psychotic episode. Blood and radiological investigations will need to be done.

We have to treat the psychosis and seek for a physical cause.

You will need to show your daughter plenty of tender, loving care and nurturing. You need to encourage her to socialise with the family. Make sure she is taking her medication and keeping her appointments. There are various medications available as treatment. You will need to show her how to function like a normal person. Normalising behaviour is important and should be encouraged.

Help! I am stressed!

Dear Counsellor:

I am a university student and am having a difficult time. I am not doing well at school and I feel stressed out. I am working and studying part-time.

- Carol

Dear Carol:

Studying is hard work and you need to organise your time and schoolwork. Develop a timetable for each day and try to stick with this. You need to have your books for the subjects and try to read them regularly.

The Internet can provide you with information. You will realise that you need to stay up for some time each night. Do your assignments as quickly as possible and try to mark them. When you try to mark your work, you will have an idea of what the teacher needs.

Some people find that it is good to study with a partner or in a group. You can make study cards and walk with them so that when you're waiting in a line or sitting in a vehicle, you can do some studying. Quiz yourself at all times and see how much you remember.

Eat nutritious meals each day and take your vitamins and supplements. Talk to a counsellor about what is happening to you. Try to get past papers so you can have an idea of question trends.

Also, pray hard and have a personal relationship with God.

Email questions and feedback for Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson to yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.