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28-10-2014 06:59 AM
28-10-2014 06:59 AM
Frustrated Parent
It’s 3 am and I am up again, doing what I imagine many parents often do at this time, think about how their kids are going. I often feel a bit anxious, caught between trying to assist them get on their feet and letting them find their own way. I imagine that this is the challenge of parenthood which is something that I relish and get my reason for being. I think that I may do it more than others (I hope I haven’t afflicted my kids). I usually push the feeling of helplessness away by listening to podcasts, which I enjoy, but would rather be sleeping. This time I’m seeking release by putting my thoughts down on paper.
I am the father of four great individuals, I am very proud of them they are intelligent caring people excelling in their contribution in their own way. While I don’t wish the curse of anxiety on them, I think they are afflicted, as do many of their generation, because they care about something other than themselves and are capable of inner rationalisation. My kids all suffer from varying degrees of anxiety and are dealing with it in their own inspirational ways. They all care about each other.
I am in awe of each of them, how could I have had any part in this?
The one I feel most concern for at the moment is my youngest son, who is being crippled by anxiety and depression. I now understand what I saw in his eyes when I held him, 10 minutes after birth. I can think of many instances throughout his entire life where he was trying to deal with anxiety. He developed a stutter in the preschool years, I could literally see his brain going too quickly for his mouth; he dealt with that and overcame it in his own way. He is now 24 years old, who can tell him how to live with anxiety? He commenced formal treatment at the age of about 14, he has been through it all, and been diagnosed with just about everything, he still struggles with it every day. He is understandably sceptical of ‘treatment’. He put his faith in us early and we haven’t been able to assist. How he actually gets through every day beggars belief. Is it any wonder he seeks some escape from the constant nagging of the anxiety, through alcohol or what-ever he gets his hands on. The resultant remorse feeds the depression spiral, and so it goes.
He has gone through self harm
It’s 4am and he is getting up for the day. He will spend most of it in his room apart from the 4-6 hours on his treadmill, in the garage. The exercise is a good coping strategy but is about the only thing he does these days.
All the advice is
- “To seek help”, he has tried that and he doesn’t believe it will help, it hasn’t in the past.
- “No one can do anything unless he decides he wants help”. This is what I pay incredible amounts to hear from psychiatrists/psychologists. This may be true, but while he remains sceptical he may never decide. We, as a community, must be able to do better than this.
The psychiatrists/psychologists seem keen to pigeon-hole him, I’m getting sick of this, when that theory is debunked a few years later where does that leave him, where is Aspergers now?
He lives at home, talks to his parents, his siblings and has a pretty good relationship with his GP, no friends or job. Is on medications which dosent seem to be helping much.
Tried AA, Grow, has been to rehab a couple of times and he manages to talk his way out of them. Is terrified of going back to rehab, I think it’s the anxiety.
I could go on for pages…..
Is anybody else going through this? Any ideas?
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28-10-2014 07:30 PM
28-10-2014 07:30 PM
Re: Frustrated Parent
Hi @RCH
Welcome to the forums.
I will let other forum members share their experiences and advice. However, I wanted to suggest a website called ReachOut.com They have similar forums to this, but for people 25 years and younger. I thought perhaps online forums might be less confronting. It's a safe, peer support forum, dealing with a lot of different topics that affect young people. Do you think he would be more comfortable talking (typing) about his experiences in an online environment?
ReachOut.com's forums can be found here
I also wanted to let you know that you're not alone going through this. I recall @Ruth has been through something similar with her daughter (you can read more here) - Hopefully she'll jump in here and share her experiences.
You sound like an amazing father who really cares about his whole family. I hope you find these forums helpful.
Nik
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28-10-2014 07:57 PM
28-10-2014 07:57 PM
Re: Frustrated Parent
S pending on where you live there are carer support groups as well as lived experience groups such as Voices as well as groups offered through Community Mental Health.
He may even want to check out the last bed experience forum here..
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28-10-2014 10:18 PM
28-10-2014 10:18 PM
Re: Frustrated Parent
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29-10-2014 09:37 PM - edited 30-10-2014 10:28 AM
29-10-2014 09:37 PM - edited 30-10-2014 10:28 AM
Re: Frustrated Parent
Hi RCH,
Sounds like your son's battle with anxiety has been a long enduring struggle. From what you wrote, it seems like you've tried many programs/interventions. I admire your resilience and persistence.
I'm not sure what state you're in but ADAVIC in Victoria is a service that specialises in anxiety disorders. They may be able to provide some advice and/or support. In relation to D&A issues, you could also try SHARC. They have self help approaches that your son might find useful. They also offer and support family members too. They also run a course for family members, ARC. Though it focuses on D&A issues, I think the are strategies that you can learn are transferable to issue that you face with MI.
@PeppiPatty @waves have also experienced challenges in caring for their adult children with MI. Do you have any advice for RCH? @Arwen , I understand that you have a daughter who experiences anxiety. Do you have any ideas or words of support for RCH?
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29-10-2014 11:22 PM
29-10-2014 11:22 PM
Re: Frustrated Parent
Headspace are also operational here and offer the e forums ..
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30-10-2014 01:12 AM
30-10-2014 01:12 AM
Re: Frustrated Parent
Ille look and see where my sons story is. Its in page 2 carers section......I think my daughter has Schizophrenia.' my son is24 years old. He
Iives in East States and I live in WA. He allows me to visit him once per year for a week. He has made good progress.
I'm amazed at your power of love for your children and to be honest.....the only thing i'del like to add immediately is ;
It's not your fault.
Sometimes just listening to your children is the best thing you can do. And say ....verbalise it....'I'm listening to you.' But it feels like your already doing that.
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05-11-2014 12:56 PM
05-11-2014 12:56 PM
Re: Frustrated Parent
Hi, i can relate to much of what you have written here. My family member is 32, no job no life stays in her room on the net ot watching tv shoes, Escaping the real world. we have an appointment here at home tomorrow with MIND and im hoping that can help her and my self. I have anxiety and depression, and have my only daily struggles. She has been discahrged from vairiuos service" youve had you 2 years now off you go and get a life " !!. thats how she sees it and so do I. She sees no future , no job , one friend who she sees now n then, No social life so she drinks in her bedroom one or twice a week. That worries me because of her medications , but what do I know , she tells me. It breaks my heart as a single parent to see her this way. She is intelligent did well at school, but dropped out when mental illness came around. I am happy for us to talk and maybe support each other. Can we private message on here ?. Are you in Melbourne ?. dont mean to invade your privacy asking that. I'm in Melbourne. feel free to reply and I wish you all the best with your family. Are you connected with MIND?. Patricia.
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05-11-2014 05:50 PM
05-11-2014 05:50 PM
Re: Frustrated Parent
Welcome to the Forums. I'm glad to see that you've been able to connect with others that share similar experiences. It can be pretty isolating caring for an adult child with MH issues as many people can find it hard to relate to your experiences.
Just a quick note, as I don't want to take this conversation on track. To answer your question about a private message service: the forums are an anonymous service, which means that members are asked not to share any information that may reveal their identity or contact details with each other (you can read more about it here on the guidelines).
But please continue to share your experiences and support for other members on the forums. It sounds like many people on here could benefit from your knowledge, compassion and common experience.
Hope to 'see' more of you on the forums!
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05-11-2014 10:22 PM
05-11-2014 10:22 PM
Re: Frustrated Parent
Your gutsy just to message
it's a really isolating journey, not just for your daughter but especially for you.
when my son went through his 'time of change,'. I never felt so alone.
you can do this. we are all here to support you.