Adult children with mental illness
Hello! This is something that exists, and despite a current attempt to bring attention to this situation, many parents suffer in silence. My 35 yr old son has been diagnosed with bipolar disease and severe depression. Since I never recognized it, since he lived on his own since he was 17, he began self medicating in his 20's. He became addicted to benzodiazepines, and used other drugs. After his third overdose with heroin and being thrown out of his shared residence with his girlfriend and new born son, he quit drugs. He hasn't been a saint but now the issue is that no doctor will prescribe anything for his anxiety and panic disorder because of his history. His illness is not controlled and he is his own worst enemy, struggling just to make it through a day, unable most days to make phone calls, reluctant to try any other antidepressants than gabapenten, working a low wage, dead end job. He turns to me for help but I'm done. I can't help him any longer. I'm spent. For now I see he gets his prescriptions, and gets to the doctor for them. That's all I can do. I would like to hear from others about how they cope.
@MotherofCats1955 - Hi! I'm very sorry to hear what you and your family are going through, I sincerely hope everything gets better someday. I'm not a mom, I'm just a teen but I have mental health problems and I have a mom. I also have siblings with mental health problems too. I think I understand what you and your son are going through.
It would help you'll tremendously if your son got proper treatment and medication, it would literally change your lives in a positive manner. I hope he'd get the help he deserves someday and wins his battle against himself.
I think all you can do is support your son and show him you care and love him. I have so much trouble with myself but all along I knew/know my mom is there for me, that's why I'm living with her now and I'm not in a child home. Even though your son is going through rough times he is still himself and the son he's always been.
I wish you and your family all the best. I had no negative intention in writing this so please don't assume so, I understand how tough mental health can be.
Recommend this website to your son if he doesn't know about it, it will help him connect with people who go through similar problems as him and he'll have some help.
@Kadi21
Don't worry, Kadi21. I didn't think you were being unkind at all in responding to my post! I'm sorry for your problems, too, but you seem like a very level headed young woman and I think you'll do ok in the long run. At least you understand you have a problem and know what you have to do. And you have the support of your mom. That's so important. Good luck and thank you for your kind words!
@MotherofCats1955
Your reply bought literal tears into my eyes, I really needed to hear that I'll do okay in the long run. Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them. I wish you the best of luck in everything, all my love <3
@MotherofCats1955
😔😔😔...I wanted to say just be there for him as a mother but somehow I know as a person you need a life of your own away from problems...life is never easy with us...
@MotherofCats1955
I'm sorry to hear that. Have you tried every single doctor in the country that you live?? Surely there is one doctor who can help him?
@youngelisabeth
Sadly, good psychiatrists book up fast and it can take a long time to even find one willing to take on a new patient. It can take months for an open appointment even when you find one. Plus now he doesn't have insurance, so it's just a constant battle against a broken system. Thank you though, for your concern.
@Motherofcats1955
At first I didn't think this thread would relate ... but I have decided that it does. We adopted several children from foster care. They all came with baggage. We have done everything we knew to do to get them the help they needed ... medical, counseling, etc. Now they are "of age" and have gone out on their own. However, out on their own really just means you have no way to mitigate their inappropriate actions ... and wind up struggling with when to help ... and when to close your eyes, ears, home and wallet. It is hard ... and it is lonely ... because you really can't discuss their issues with the general public. However, the clueless general public is quite judgemental and (even worse) enabling.
@Justme1225
well I starting typing a long reply to this and a fox ran up to our screened in porch and I stopped to take a picture and lost all I had typed. Story of my life.
on a positive note I love fox and the cats got a new experience. They've never seen a creature like that!
