A Broken Child (15)

Hi all; am sure that through the past year+ most of you know that my youngest has some health problems, namely he has depressive/anxiety disorder - Add this to usual childhood/teenage angst and behaviours and every day can be a challenge. He has been doing extremely well since we made the move up north, loving life and working...still struggling but doing he very best. He is very compliant and responsible taking his meds and very aware of managing his illness. He has been through so much and several hospitalizations etc. Anyways, he got sick at the beginning of September with a horrible flu and has spiralled down psychologically since. It has been so frightening and painful to see my child suffer so intensely. He reused to go for help or to the doc, but finally the other day he asked us for help. They have done bloodwork and discover his meds are not working as they should - he is so disconnected and scared.
Has anyone got ideas - "normal" ideas, not fanatical off the wall stuff please - Maybe some one you know or you have gone through this. I was a mental health worker and that makes it more frightening - feels like he may not come out of this crisis.
~ a worried and scared mom

i have no ideas, but, will offer my sincere thoughts. It sounds like a difficult and worrisome situation. It is very hard when anything happens to our children.

Hey sweetie, Get your man to give you a hug from Brian and I. You were very concerned for your young man when we visited. It's not easy on him and even harder on you caring and hoping he will get better. Bravo to your young man for making the choice to get help. Never easy for them to do.

Take care, you know you have friends to lean on and talk to when needed.

My only suggestion is Vitamin B6. It's used for many things, and mainly things to do with anxiety, depression, A.D.D., Autism, & patients dealing with some psychological issues have been given it.

Kim and Brian. xoxoxo

Eyes,

I likely can't offer much help in this regard other than to suggest doing anything you can to alleviate your son's fears as much as possible.....games, puzzles, good distractions? Maybe something like that will be helpful for you as well. Hopefully the flu runs its course and things will start to improve in other areas as well. Best wishes for you and your family.

YG

I do not have any advice but I do know what he is going through. I have had an anxiety disorder since I was a child, at times I am fine then all of a sudden it will strike again and it does take a long time to pull back out of it again even with medication.

Thanks to each and everyone of you that has offered support and advice. Kim thanks for the mail. I took an hour off work this morning and we went to see him. Was able to get him into the shower, which is a huge step. He was glad to see Glen. Talked to the mental health nurse about the b vitamin theory and he agrees - is going to ask the doc to test for all vitamin deficiencies. Kiddo was able to sit up a bit better today and answer questions. He repeats the last word that I say to him...very odd. Thanks for the hugs and caring...
gordy, the mental health system up here is far from where it should be that is for sure. Very much a lack of awareness and understanding and education. When I went into the Dr. office with kiddo and said that my son was in crisis and we needed to see someone there as his psych records are there - they said they closed at 4, no one was able to see him, wrote the # to mental health office on a post it note and sent me on my way. very offensive...although kiddo's doc is making some changes now that he has been made aware. In my experience, when it comes to dispersal of funds, those with disabilities and mental health issues are at the bottom of the priority list!
YT- he is very involved in music and fishing and his part time work - many things we do as a family. We all play guitar, my partner is teaching my son... The problem has become that he is so disconnected and withdrawn that he has no desire or ability to participate. He is crazy about the dog, but has even withdrawn from her, although he perked up when I mentioned her yesterday...so they have given permission for her to visit him in hospital.
The crazy thing about all of this is that there is no rhyme or reason, no episode is the same as the last and feels like we are flying by the seat of our pants all of the time. We have to rule out physical issues as well...and get him eating and regulate his sleep patterns. It is heartbreaking as a parent to see him in such pain and not be able to fix it. Moms are supposed to be able to fix everything and have all the answers...thankful for Glen, he is able to keep me balanced and support me - he cares for my kid, they are pretty tight, and he is worried, but he is able to be very much a stabilizer for us right now.
Thanks so much...

... it is a big red flag if they can not respond to pets (of any kind.)

It is a blessing when we have a partner who is there for us and for our kid(s). Eric and Brian are able to connect on a level no one else is able to do so. Eric is comfortable with Brian.

It's hard as a parent to watch your kid go through a crisis. As much as we'd like to be able to fix things (or make them better) we can not do so. Makes a person feel helpless even useless sometimes.

You and Glen are doing what kiddo needs. Getting him the help, giving him the support, and being there for him. Rest is up to the medial team to help him and up to the kiddo to help, heal himself.
Double hard when kiddo is a teenager.

Kiddo is lucky, he has a mother who cares and a friend like Glen who is there for him on a level a parent is not.

Best of luck to all of you. You are in our thoughts and hearts.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Kiddo, Eyes, Glen)))))))))))))))))))))))

Awwww hun! I can imagine how scared you all are and himself included.

I don't really have any good advice to give you except to not give up on him (which I am sure you are not of course) and to support him the best you can and show him he can beat this.

I hope things work out again soon for him and you all and wish you all the best of luck on the medical side as well.

Tracy