A Tough Choice: Helping a Teen With Mental Health Stay on Track

A single mother worries about her 19‑year‑old daughter, who battles bipolar II, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Despite therapy sessions and medication adjustments, the daughter consistently declines a residential program that could foster independence.

After high school, she abandoned plans for college or employment and instead focuses on socializing with friends while regularly smoking marijuana. She rarely leaves her room unless summoned, and the mother questions whether she is taking her prescribed medication or actively seeking help.

Feeling trapped by her daughter’s choices, the mother contemplates packing up her own belongings in hopes that the girl will “figure it out” on her own. She questions whether this approach is fair, given the daughter’s mental health challenges and potential risks.

The advice offered emphasizes that without clear consequences, nothing will change; the daughter may continue living in a haze of cannabis use. A proposed solution is to make continued co‑habitation conditional on the daughter’s participation in a program that encourages self‑reliance.

If more guidance is needed, the mother can reach out to a licensed therapist or connect with a national mental‑health organization for support. The overall message encourages parents to set firm boundaries while seeking professional help, rather than relying solely on hope that the teen will improve without structure.