Good morning
It's been about 3 years since my baby girl had her 1st onset of psychosis. She is 23 now. She has been on so many meds. Changing the combination of meds and dosage sometimes helps, but as your body chemistry changes unfortunately you have to start all over again with new meds. She has learned to deal with her anxiety and depression It breaks my heart to watch her pain and it is also frustrating because she is so dependent on me. Just coping.Thank you all for sharing
I was a few years older than your daughter when I was hospitalised suffering psychosis and hypomania, followed by crippling depression. My Mum was my rock. I stayed with her when I was getting better. It took ages to get out from under. My Mum was there every day reassuring me that all would be well again and never made me feel that I should hurry up. Maybe we were lucky that the World Wide Web didn’t exist yet with all its wealth of information. Maybe we weren’t, but then there was no pressure to try the next fashionable cure. Mum made sure I ate good food, let me sleep when I could, sat with me when I couldn’t. Walked with me in the forest and fresh air. And let me talk and talk without judging me.
I was horrible to her when I sensed the least bit of weakness or anxiety in her. It made me panic and I just knew I was to blame.
We got through it though. I could not have done it without her love and support....and what was then the cutting edge of modern medicine.
Venus, just for now, you are your daughter‘s rock.
Make sure you look after yourself while she leans on you and all will be well.
If your daughter has already learned to manage her anxiety and depression, perhaps she could build her confidence with a half day college workshop or a couple of hours work in a shop. That’s how I got to stand on my own two feet again.
I wish you both well.
This is a beautiful post!!! How lovely of your mother, and how lovely of you to recognize her with your heart and words.
Psychotrophic Rx takes so long to react. So much time is lost. I suggest a medical DNA test. They'll run her DNA against several different drugs. You will discover which ones she is unresponsive to, moderately, normally, ultra-rapidly, etc. I took Celexa for neuropathy for years. Still suffered. Turns out I was non responsive. Took Fentanyl for overwhelming orthopedic problems - nothing! I'm an ultra rapid responder. It goes through me before I know it's even there, providing no relief.
After my own experience I'm like a preacher! I tell everyone to get DNA tested before wasting time, $, & possibly damaging their health.
BTW: insurance didn't pay, I did. This very specific test was only $250. Done earlier it would have saved mega$, lots of time & pain.
I also know what it's like to care for a psychotic person. My mother was totally resistant to Rx. ECT was a life saver and extended her life to age 85. She was diagnosed at 40. It's not scary.
Bless you. There is hope. Have close girlfriends, share unburden & treasure them. They'll be your rock.
Thanks for the info we will definitely look into this.
I don’t know where you live but have you checked out McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts? They offer the best psychiatric care in the world. They have saved many lives. May be worth checking out.
Hi Venus,
I had a nervous break down when I was 19yrs old. I was to learn much later in my life that it was a bipolar manic phase “gone wrong” into psychosis. Unlike some other folks I met, I didn’t lose any memory of what happened. I didn’t know how to cope with what was happening to me & I ended up “making up a reality.” I was away at college when this happened & my parents had to come & get me 3.5 states away. I was sooo mad about the girls dean calling my parents, without my knowledge. I certainly was in denial of anything being wrong. This was in 1988 & the Top 3 Psychiatrists at the prestigious hospital my Mom took me to, could not come up with any better diagnosis that “Abnormal Psychosis.” The archaic medications they prescribed me initially, hit my system so hard. Really really made me feel like I wasn’t myself.
My Mom was my champion too, still is even though my diagnoses are correct & I’ve been on a “cocktail” of medications that help, for about 15-20yrs now. I’m in my early 50’s. I lost my 15 yr old daughter to suicide 9 years ago. We found her just barely too late. It’s a sorrow that I wouldn’t wish on any parent or sibling. My son is 28yrs old now & it’s unbearable, thinking about what he’s gone/going through, having to say goodbye too soon to his baby sister.
My encouragement to you is to be her champion, but take care of yourself too. And yes, the journey through the search for the best meds is Very Hard & Very Painful. It was in my early 30’s that I finally accepted that I needed meds for life & it wasn’t my fortune to be able to get to a place where I was safe to wean off of them entirely.
I tend to deal with the depression & anxiety end of this most of the time. My father has been Hugely instrumental in helping me learn about coping mechanisms that have helped him. I’m so lucky to have a close & supportive family. I’ve seen the agony of their struggles, wishing they could fix-it-and-make-it-better & feeling powerless.
Hoping that my story is even a little bit helpful to you.
I wish you both the very best of a difficult situation.
let down by friends- not been invited!
Question ❓❓❓❓
My daughter is depressed now
Finally finding some peace
