Support/advice on how to help my brother battle his demons.
Mediation doesn't work. Therapy doesn't seem to be a good fit. He exercises but still feels bad. Our parents don't believe in medication. But my little brother is fourteen-years-old and hasn't been a "normal" kid in years.
When he was eleven (yes. Eleven), he tried to end his own life due to anxious, intrusive thoughts and this year I begged my parents to get him therapy.
He hates going out into crowds, loud sounds frighten him, lights blind him and with every person who passes, he thinks they are staring at him, judging him, and it sends threads of terror running through him.
Night terrors are next. He wakes up in a panic but saying that is an understatement. He's covered in beads of sweat, saying he's going to Di3. It takes hours for me or my dad to calm him down and he gets very little sleep.
He has no friends.
I feel so guilty for not helping him because I feel as though that's my job as his big brother. I want to support him and possibly help him sleep, feel better in public and not think he is horrible. I dont know what to do.
Hi there
It sounds like you’re brother is really going through a lot. I see that he’s tried many options, from medication to therapy. Being a suicide attempt survivor at eleven is truly so young. Everything that, triggers, irritates, and overwhelms him really sound so so difficult to deal with and I can’t imagine what he’s going through. Having an unstable sleep schedule due to night terrors must make him feel even worse. The pain your brother is going through sounds truly so difficult. It’s so so amazing and caring of you to notice it in that depth and to be willing to help. It sounds like the situation itself is taking a huge toll on you as well. As much as I wish I could tell you that there was something you could do to lift this huge pain off of him, sadly there isn’t. I would suggest just being there for him, letting him know he can talk to you about anything. Not judging and lending your ear and if needed sometimes just a hug. Comforting him after his dreams, maybe spending time with him in quieter places to make him feel *normal* at times. Reassuring him that it will be okay. Telling him how strong he is. Though you may not be able to absolutely poof his pain, small gestures like that can make It worlds easier and less of a burden. You have amazing intentions and it’s so beautiful to see how much you care about your brother. Thank you so much for sharing here today. I’m rooting for both of you! You can do it! *sends virtual hugs if comfortable* Thank you for being such a strong person, not just for yourself, but for your brother. Your actions absolutely do not go unnoticed! The very best of luck to the both of you!!
xx Dahlia 💕
