Articles - Margaret Puckette

June 10, 2022 in adult, mental illness, mental illness, parent rights, parenting, suicide, teenagers

How to help your troubled teen after they turn 18

When a troubled child becomes an adult, parents hands are tied. But parents are also still responsible because their 18 and over child is simply not ready for the responsibilities.…

June 7, 2022 in mental illness, mental illness, parenting, schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia

Life with a schizoaffective teen

I have first-hand experience raising a child with schizoaffective disorder. Up until the onset of her disorder in the 'tweens', I didn't think I had the patience or backbone for…

March 29, 2022 in ADHD, anger, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, defiant, defiant children, discipline, irrational children, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, Screaming, stress, teenagers, trending articles, troubled children, troubled teenager

Is my teen ‘normal’ crazy or seriously troubled?

Many teenagers go through a rebellious or 'crazy' phase that is typical for their age. It is a result of normal adolescent brain development. The difference between 'normal' teen-crazy and…

January 10, 2022 in adult, bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, mental illness, mental illness, parenting, schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, teenagers

Will my troubled child lose their future?

Parents with troubled teens and young adults can watch helplessly as their child makes choices and actions that can ruin their future potential and wellbeing. But parents are not helpless.…

October 14, 2020 in ADHD, anger, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, defiant, depression, depression, manipulative, mental illness, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, parent rights, parenting, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, Screaming, teenagers, teens, trending articles, troubled children, troubled children, troubled teenager

How to respond to a manipulative teen or young adult child

Parents really can learn how to talk to a difficult teenager and reduce fights or frustration, and improve communication. This article describes effective responses to verbal manipulation or accusations most…

February 21, 2019 in anger, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, Bullying, cutting, defiant, defiant children, irrational children, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, Screaming, stress, teenagers, troubled teenager

Borderline children – how they function and how you can help

Are you ready to bang your head on a wall? Do you want to abandon your child in the wilderness? Children with borderline personality disorder (BPD) traumatize everyone around them.…

November 9, 2018 in ADHD, anger, anxiety, defiant, defiant children, depression, discipline, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, teenagers, troubled children, troubled teenager

How to manage defiance and oppositional defiant disorder

Typical traits of children with oppositional defiant disorder. They act younger than they are. Don't expect them to mature quickly. They live in the here and now, and can't think…

September 6, 2018 in depression, mental illness, naturopathic medicine, parenting, stress, troubled children, troubled teenager

The best vitamins for your child’s brain

The vitamins listed here are absolutely essential for your child's brain, and it's highly likely your child doesn't have enough. People with psychiatric disorders commonly have physical problems that are…

August 24, 2018 in mental illness, mental illness, parenting, psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia

What hallucinations are like, from those who know

If you care for a child experiencing hallucinations but don't know what it's like, these first-hand accounts may help you better understand and support your child. This writer is taking…

April 3, 2018 in bipolar disorder, depression, mental illness, parenting, psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, teens, troubled children

Unsettling: What psychosis looks like in children and young people

This eerie painting is by a young woman of 22 diagnosed with schizophrenia. She is encountering a threat, real or imagined, and her paranoia is compounded by being watched from…

February 4, 2018 in ADD, ADHD, ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, depression, mental illness, PTSD, stress, teachers, troubled children

Your child’s ADHD diagnosis could be wrong, leaving other issues untreated

Inattention and distractibility are caused by many medical conditions and life situations. You child may not have ADHD or ADD if they didn’t show signs when they were young. Children…

January 1, 2018 in ADHD, animal therapy, anxiety, autism, depression, schizophrenia, stress, therapy, troubled children, troubled children

How to pick the ideal therapy pet for your child or teen

"A pet is an island of sanity in what appears to be an insane world. Whether a dog, cat, bird, fish, turtle, or what have you, one can rely upon…

December 20, 2017 in anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, mental illness, naturopathic medicine, schizophrenia, stress, troubled children

The Brain Diet for Troubled Kids

All people with brain disorders need a whole body/whole life approach to treatment--no one medical practice is sufficient. Neither mainstream psychiatry or naturopathy have all the answers for mental health,…

November 9, 2017 in law enforcement, mental illness, parenting, Screaming, Siblings, stress, suicide, troubled children

How to Handle a Child’s Mental Health Crisis

You can sense there will be a crisis long before it happens. You have days when you’re so concerned about your child and family (and work and responsibilities) that you can’t…

August 16, 2017 in dysfunctional, irrational children, mental illness, parenting, teenagers, troubled children, troubled teenager

The Dysfunctional Family and the “Black Hole” Child

Many families living with the proverbial “black hole” child start to cope in unhealthy ways. Everyone gradually alters their normal behavior to avoid stress, frustration, anxiety, or anger, but these…

July 12, 2017 in anxiety, depression, mental illness, parenting, schizophrenia, teenagers, troubled children

Marijuana is uniquely dangerous for troubled teens

Marijuana's effect on adolescents is more serious than many realize, especially for those with behavioral disorders. This is no exaggeration; marijuana can lead to psychosis and long-term cognitive impairment for…

May 5, 2017 in animal therapy, anxiety, depression, mental illness, mental illness, parenting, stress, troubled children, troubled children

12 Ways Dogs Reduce Depression & Anxiety

Most people know that dogs are good for one's wellbeing, but these creatures literally improve one's physical and mental health. Dogs are medicine. 1. They lower our blood pressure Research has…

April 13, 2017 in Bullying, depression, depression, mental illness, parenting, stress, suicide, teenagers, teens, troubled children, troubled teenager

How to talk with your child about suicide, and answers to parents’ questions

Don’t be silent on the subject of suicide, even if there’s no evidence your child has considered it. Bring it in the open, especially if you have a hunch something…

December 12, 2016 in ADHD, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, defiant children, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, teenagers, therapy, troubled children

Take this parenting skills test if you have a troubled child

So how are you doing in your difficult parenting job? Score your parenting skills on a test designed for parents of children ages 11-15. This is intended for parents of 'normal' children,…

November 13, 2015 in irrational children, mental illness, mental illness, schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, therapy, troubled children, troubled children

Outlook for schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia

How Schizoaffective Disorder compares to other disorders There is little information about schizoaffective disorder in children, which usually starts around puberty. As a parent, you know how seriously it affects…

March 20, 2014 in bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, cutting, depression, mental illness, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, psychiatry, PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, suicide, teenagers, therapy, troubled children, troubled children

What to know about psychiatric residential treatment

Have you been searching for psychiatric residential treatment for your child? Do all the programs sound wonderful? Ads include quotes from happy parents, and lovely photos and fabulous-sounding activities. But…

January 29, 2013 in ADHD, anxiety, autism, mental illness, stress, therapy, troubled children, troubled children

Calming room ideas to prevent tantrums, for kids with autism or other disorders

This article was provided by Ryan Novas on behalf of National Autism Resources. For those with an autistic child, it is a parent’s nightmare to face a tantrum with no way…

November 30, 2012 in defiant children, discipline, law enforcement, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, Screaming, teenagers, troubled children

“You’re under arrest!”: Crime and Troubled Teens

You've tried everything. Now you watch helplessly as your troubled teenager starts down a path leading to jail, and you wait for that call from the police. There's been a…

October 9, 2012 in anger, defiant, defiant children, law enforcement, mental illness, parenting, stress, teens, troubled children

Why teens run away and what you can do about it

Teens run away for multiple reasons: some they create themselves, some are victimized, some find home life unbearable, and some are mentally ill or addicted. It is an emotional shock…

May 29, 2012 in mental illness, teenagers, troubled children

Planning for Your Troubled Child from Birth to 18 – What to Expect and Do

Parents face daily challenges with a troubled child or teen, and easily overlook the future. I know I did. What's going to happen as they grow and change? What does…

May 7, 2012 in ADHD, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, mental illness, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, schizoaffective disorder, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, teens, troubled children, troubled children

Faith can help, and harm, a family’s mental health

When faith helps Most of the time, people can heal and find peace and self-acceptance through faith. All the world’s great faiths, those that have lasted centuries, are kept alive…

April 23, 2012 in anger, anxiety, defiant children, discipline, stress, teenagers, troubled children, troubled children

ARE YOU OVERREACTING?

Your child's incessant problems and scares can literally give you symptoms of PTSD and anxiety disorder that you can't control. Like many parents, you might go to extremes to control…

March 5, 2012 in confidentiality, defiant children, discipline, mental illness, mental illness, parent rights, parenting, teenagers

Your rights as the parent of a teen with a mental disorder

Parents have more rights than they think. In a previous blog article on the subject of parents rights, I described how parents can be shocked to learn that their troubled teenager…

November 28, 2011 in anxiety, defiant, defiant children, irrational children, mental illness, parenting, stress, teenagers, teens, troubled children, troubled children

Solid Wisdom for Parents of Troubled Children and Teens

Other parents have gone before you and faced the challenges that come with a very troubled child. Get a jump on your task and learn from other’s experience. Wisdom…

September 28, 2011 in mental illness, Siblings, troubled children

Good messages for siblings (and parents) of a troubled child or teen

Your other children already know something is terribly wrong, and they deserve to hear the truth from you. Most are old enough. They see other children in school and discover…

August 29, 2011 in Bullying, discipline, parenting, PTSD, suicide, teachers, troubled children

Bullying and how to stop it – for parents and teachers

Most of us have bullied someone and have been bullied at some time in our lives. We have an aggressive trait that helps us stand up to a threat. We…

August 20, 2011 in mental illness, parenting, teens, therapy

Therapy types explained: DBT, CBT, CPS, and others

The fantastic news about the brain is that it can heal itself by talking with someone! Ample evidence backs up effectiveness of therapy. The therapist or psychologist who works with…

July 1, 2011 in anger, defiant children, discipline, parenting, Screaming, stress, teenagers, teens

What to do when they stop listening

You don't need to be this frustrated At some point in their development, all kids stop listening. It’s frustrating but normal. There are lots of good advice for getting normal…

February 5, 2011 in fathers, mental illness, schizophrenia

The Blessings and Curses of Schizophrenia – A Father’s View

This guest article is by Don Moore. Some families are presented with the dual dilemmas of dealing with a child that is both gifted and troubled. Such is the case…

December 25, 2010 in mental illness, naturopathic medicine, parenting, therapy, troubled children, troubled children, yoga

Naturopathic and holistic mental health treatment

This guest article is by a naturopathic physician in Portland, Oregon USA, who specializes in mental health treatment for children and adults using naturopathy. Following is a summary and link of a…

October 30, 2010 in ADHD, autism, mental illness, psychology, troubled children, troubled children

Use IQ sub-scores to guide your child’s future

The IQ of a child or teen does not predict their success or failure in the world, nor their chances for a meaningful life that's full of wellbeing. But in very practical…

October 23, 2010 in anger, animal therapy, anxiety, stress, therapy, yoga

Practical ways to calm yourself, your child, your family

You need peace and calm in your household, and you can provide the touch that supports all other approaches: Therapy; disciplined meditation and yoga, anti-anxiety medications (don't be afraid to…

October 13, 2010 in anger, anxiety, defiant, defiant children, irrational children, Screaming, stress, teenagers, troubled teenager

What to do about screaming teenagers

When their screaming starts, you brace yourself. You armor your gut to protect it from the verbal pummeling. Their cruel words pierce your heart. When it’s over, you want to…

May 23, 2010 in marijuana, mental illness, parenting, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, teens

Marijuana and psychosis in teens

Brain scan of a normal brain Brain scan of 16 yr old marijuana user Brain scan of 18 yr old marijuana user It’s a myth that…

April 18, 2010 in mental illness, parenting, teens, troubled children

Typical parenting mistakes – 9 ways we make things worse

Good parenting means knowing what NOT to do as a parent. Hey, it's hard not to lose your cool with some children. And once you do, you may feel guilty…

March 22, 2010 in ADD, ADHD, ADHD, medications, mental illness, parenting, teenagers, teens, troubled children, troubled children

ADHD kids become troubled adults

I confess I used to think attention deficit disorders were not as serious as other disorders. I was so wrong. Sure, teens with attention deficits had problems, but they…

January 3, 2010 in mental illness, parent rights, parenting, teens

Balancing teen rights vs parent rights when the teen has a mental disorder

If you’re a parent of a troubled teen, how much decision-making power should your child have? How can your teenager possibly make decisions for themselves if they’re brains aren’t functioning…

January 1, 2010 in mental illness, parenting, psychiatry, psychology, teens, therapy

Youth with mental disorders demand rights!

Troubled young people have rights, and a national organization is there to support them. Youth ERA (Mission: "Youth ERA works to empower young people and create breakthroughs with the dedicated…

September 6, 2009 in mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, teachers

Teachers and Stigma – Judging and Blaming Families

As parents of troubled children, we already know that our child’s disorder or behavior will not work in most classrooms. Teachers don't need to tell us this or explain why…

May 14, 2009 in mental illness, Siblings, stress, troubled children, troubled teenager

Don’t let siblings lose their childhood

Siblings suffer when a brother’s or sister’s chronically severe behavior overwhelms the family. Usually parents are too stressed and exhausted to give them attention. Their needs are overlooked because their…

April 1, 2009 in Bullying, suicide

Bullies, like their victims, are also at risk.

It’s easy to understand what it’s like to be a victim, but don’t be surprised if your understanding of bully behavior is off base. There are many myths about who…

March 23, 2009 in bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, law enforcement, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, teens

Things that protect troubled girls from delinquency

Both boys and girls get in trouble with the law. Boys are in the majority for arrests for crime, but statistics indicate that girls’ arrests are increasing: “…between 1996…

February 18, 2009 in bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, teens

Gang Up on Your Kids: Network with Other Parents to Track Troubled Kids

An article in the local paper told the story of a mother who desperately tried to get help for her at-risk son to keep him out of a gang. Yet…

February 4, 2009 in bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, mental illness, parenting, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, suicide, teens

Call 911 – Make a crisis plan for your troubled child

Don’t let your family become emotionally battered when your troubled child or teen goes through one crisis after another. It’s the last thing your family needs—more stress and exhaustion! Since…

December 20, 2008 in ADHD, ADHD, anxiety, autism, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, PTSD, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, teens, troubled children, troubled children, yoga

Spirituality and mental health, some research

Scientists worldwide have been studying the effect of religion and spirituality on mental health and addiction recovery in children, teens, and adults. Below are research findings that show religion and spirituality…

December 16, 2008 in bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, law enforcement, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting, schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, suicide, teens

How to work with police once you’ve called 911.

Q: Should I call 911? I’ve been told I should call the police or mental health hotline when there’s a crisis, but how do I know when it’s a…

December 3, 2008 in anger, bipolar disorder, confidentiality, cutting, defiant, oppositional defiant disorder, parent rights, parenting, teenagers, troubled children, troubled children

When is it OK to search a teen’s room?

"My son is always in his room and gets extremely upset if I go in in there or even open the door. He says he has a right to…

November 25, 2008 in bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, mental illness, oppositional defiant disorder, parenting

What to do when you’re blamed for your child’s behavior

I have yet to meet one family with a troubled child that has not felt blamed or judged by close people in their lives: best friends, family members, a…

October 16, 2008 in defiant, defiant children, irrational children, parenting, Screaming, teenagers, troubled children

Are you trying to reason with an irrational child?

I regularly speak with parents with children with a brain disorder and a history of serious behavior problems. Many are truly at the end of their rope. The parent is…