OT-Feeling Blue..

Maybe because it's that time of the month or because my mom is having a mental relapse again. I feel so overwhelmed. My sister wants to run away to California because she can no longer deal with my mom's mental issues. I don't know if some of you know this but my mom suffers from Anxiety and has been diagnosed with Anxiety related Psychosis. Suffice to say my Dad stupidly cut her dose in half (on her doctor's orders) and she reverted back and it has been about 6-8 weeks and it's getting really tough on my 73 year old father and my sister who has 2 young kids. I have been doing my share mostly on the weekends. Let me just clarify that my sister works 2 days a week and is a stay at home mom.

My sister calls me last night as I am heading home and I ended up at my parents house and it was really bad. I am getting scared. They saw the doctor yesterday who placed her on more drugs but it's like she becomes like a zombie when she goes on this many drugs. I am sorry I am venting here but I am literally crying sitting at my desk and I feel so bad for not being able to help my mom. I don't know how to deal with this and can use a lot of prayers to help my family get thru this. My mom was always the strong one in the family and it breaks my heart that she the one who is going thru this. I am sorry this is long but I knew I could cry on some of your shoulders here....

I'm so sorry to hear of your dear parents problems; sometimes it just seems as if it never quits.

Have the doctors looked at the interactions of the various drugs she's taking?   Often they cancel each other out, or even make things worse.  Since we all react differently to drugs, it can make it hard to get a reasonable response to a known pharmacutical, especially with the elderly.

Can your parents afford to have a respite worker (health professional) come in to help? 

I hope your family can find some help soon.  It's so hard on your entire family when there is one member who takes so much caring, and you don't want to abandon them in their time of need.

Hugs;

Lynn,
Thank you for advise. This means a lot to me. It just helps coming here to just vent believe it or not.

Shilpa

Watching our parents suffer and feeling helpless is a terrible thing to go through.  Unfortunately it is part of life and as we get older we have to take care of parents who we once counted on to take care of us.  I know just what you are dealing with because I have been overwhelmed since my mom fell three weeks ago, broke her shoulder and was discovered to be losing blood internally.  I resent having to do all that has to be done and giving up some of my own life just at a time when I am finally feeling good.  

It is important for you to find someone to talk to, social worker or therapist.   Mental illnesses are really frustrating because sometimes it is so hard to get the right doses of the right meds.  

I feel for you and you know you can call if you need to.

arlene 

Thanks Arlene. I knew I could share this here and it would be a no judgement zone. Hugs coming your way and hoping your mom is feeling better soon.

Sounds like you need a hug, Shilpa!!    I hope they soon get your mom's med dose right!!!   Happy to lend a shoulder whenever you need it!!

Julia,
Thanks for the hugs and shoulder to cry on this means a lot to me!

Sending up prayers for you Shilpa.   Anxiety Disorders truly suck and are very much misunderstood and ignored by the general public as to the toll they take on a affected person's surrounding caregivers.   It ain't easy and I feel for you and yours.   Hugs.  J.

Jackie,
Thank you for your prayers and hugs. I really needed to vent and I feel better already just talking about it. Thanks for all that you guys do for me.

Don't really have any words of wisdom for you on this, Shilpa, but I am sending many, many prayers your way and to your parents to help you all through this. I guess it is like dealing with any illness and just gets totally overwhelming at times. Big hugs to you - stay strong. Kathy