I don't usually write letters like this, but I have searched through the other letters around this same situation but there isn't any that will help.
Basically my 13 year old sister was diagnosed with epilepsy earlier this year, around March/April time. She had a few seizures last year and one around March so the doctors decided to put her on medication. Ever since she started the course of medication she hasn't been herself. She's had mood swings and has been getting upset at school, falling out with her friends and staying in her room. I found out a few months ago by my best friend that she had cut herself on her arms so I told my parents and they spoke to her about it but nothing they said would seem to go in so she did it again and again and again.
Recently, after she promised me she wouldn't do it again I found out she had so I cried and she heard. She ran to me and promised that she wouldn't EVER do it again as she realised how much it affected me. But last night she came home from school crying. I asked her what was wrong and she told me she had done it again, this time with her school locker key. She said that she had a meeting with the school nurse that lunch time about self harming which I believe made her worse. I reacted badly, I just walked away and blanked her because I did believe that she had stopped.
My dad believes it's for attention as she doesn't suffer with her condition badly, its a mild case. My mum doesn't really say much, she tries to hide it and cheer her up.
I just need advice with how to tackle it and help her because at her age I was a happy person with no worries, so I haven't been through this myself. I am now 16 and know a few people who have self harmed but it being my sister I want to help her as much as possible. i hate seeing her down and knowing she harms herself.
I will greatly appreciate any advice or support around this subject. My aim is to make her happy and her old self again.
Thank you, Catherine x