Help! I have an 18 year old that is bipolar living at home. He was diagnosed in 2009, but was labeled ADHD and possible ODD in 2nd grade. He has dropped out of school and has at least a year longer to go to school if he would go. We have tried to get him to take GED classes, but only went for a few weeks then stopped. He refuses to admit that he has a mental disorder and will not take any meds or see a dr or counselor. He has a drug problem and anger issues. He has been arrested prior to his diagnosis for his anger outbursts (in Michigan he was considered an adult at 17). He has been on and off on probation and never follows through with the conditions. He currently has a warrant out for arrest for a domestic dispute and stealing charge against my husband and myself. He shows no interest in school or trying to fix his problems. We are at our wits end and are considering kicking him out. What else can we do? His friends are all a few years younger and still live at home. He has noone else to move in with. he stayed one school year already with my family in a another state and burned a bridge there too. Would I be a bad mom knowing that he has issues and still kicking him out. He also does not drive and has no driving license yet.
Its time to put your foot down and make him stand on his own two feet. I know that what your trying to accomplish is driven by love and guilt, but its not working. The drug issue in itself is a big one. This would explain the anger outburst and stealing. As long as he has a roof over his head and access to drugs...this is not going to change. The only one that can make him change is himself and there is nothing you can do on your end that will prove otherwise.
This has nothing to do with being a good or bad mother. This happens to the best of people. If it were my son...I would force him to own the issue. Go into treatment and make ammends to people you have done wrong or continue down this path of distruction but not with my help...your choice.