My 14 year old daughter has several mental illnesses. I've been working with her since she was 3 years old. I have done everything in me power to help my sick child. Kayla, has ADD, Bipolar Disorder, Scitzo-Affective Disorder Bipolar Type, Anxirty. Obbsessive Compulsive Disorder, among a couple others. She is out of control and is now headed off to a Treatment Foster Home that will hopefully help her. I fought for the foster home because I came to a huge brick wall. It may seem cruel to do this to my child but I'd Do anything to help her. And since I live in a small town the programs are limited for her and my family. My heartache is extreme and I only hope that this will help her. My baby is in so much pain. I haven't seen her beautiful smile in so long. God please help me!! Help her be able to live a some what normal life some day. Has any parent or other care giver gone through this? Please share your experiences with me. I feel so alone at times. Wondering what to do!!!!!
2007-12-02 16:47:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
At 14 or 15 my daughter's symptoms just didn't make sense. Her perceptions and actions and words became outside of reality as she withdrew in depression. Fear consumed her at times. Her symptoms were so bizarre.....Multiple Personality it turned out to be .... 20 different ones..... hallucinations ... evil spirits would seek her out ... she was tortured by it all. How our hearts broke when we had to make the 911 call to have her picked-up, wandering the streets, not knowing her own name. I felt sooooooo guilty every time she was hospitalized, but it had taken everything out of me to be able to try to care for her, and I couldn't keep her alive anymore on my own. One hospitalization resulted in her going to a home to transition mentally ill people toward living independently... a 2 year program of men and women in the same living situation. Our daughter's Dr. said it was to her benefit.........but could I allow myself to let her go??? Would she be safe there either? ........... Then came time for me to go for therapy, to church, and to learn to pray for my child when I could not reach out my arms and hold her tight. Yes, my heart ached. Our friends helped me to get through the days. I fought guilt day after day. In those 2 years such a transformation took place. Not that she was always safe, or made the best decisions, but she was so determined and she learned in that home... while I learned in mine. Call someone in a church near your home. Ask them to come and pray with you. And learn to rely on God to be your comfort and to be the one who can reach out to your daughter even when she is beyond your reach. You need a friend who cares about you and will walk beside you as you go through this most difficult of experiences for any parent. You have done all you can do with your own loving arms, and it is time to allow her to be cared for by someone who can have the strength and knowledge to help her through.
2007-12-02 17:59:58 · answer #1 · answered by Hope 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, since it's obvious that you love her and are doing everything you can to help her, I don't see how anyone could blame you for sending her to a foster home. You're only doing what you think it'll take to help her.
My biggest concern is the number and types of disorders you mentioned. Are all the diagnoses from the same doctor, or were there different ones at different times? Comorbidity, or having more than one mental illness simultaneously, is actually more common with some conditions than people realize. But many of the disorders you named have very similar symptoms and are often confused, even by professionals. She may have a couple of disorders, but the way her symptoms present themselves make it hard to pinpoint the problem. The ADD and anxiety specifically are very common with schizo-affective disorder and bipolar, and the OCD could be directly linked.
The best thing you can do for her is continue to support her and seek help. Be sure to get a second or even a third opinion, and delve deeper into the diagnoses to see if they could all be facets of one condition. Also know that if misdiagnosed, she could be taking meds which could actually worsen her condition.
I wish you all the best and hope she can overcome this...
2007-12-02 18:27:38 · answer #2 · answered by SeizonSha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it, if you cracked under the strain and harmed her you would feeel a whole lot worse than taking a respite and having other people help you with her, foster caree just sounds like you are abandoning her because you have devoted every waking moment to her for so long..... Take a break, keep in touch, let her know she is loved and let the professionals help both of you..... You are not washing your hand of her you are askng for much over due help......Just be sure you do make sure she know you do love her.......Mental health much of it can be controlled with meds and environment, you just need the help....Pray and God Bless you this has to be tearing you apart especially since you will have moments of what will feel like relief that she is gone, that is not really what that feeling is it is just you catching up on sleep and life so you can be strong again later......
2007-12-02 17:05:46 · answer #3 · answered by Judy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the faith. Remember that there are physical reasons for the mental illnesses. Research the individual diseases a little at a time so as not to be overwhelmed. Look up NAMI which is a support group for families of mentally ill people. You may be able to correspond with a member via e-mail. The foster home is NOT cruel.
2007-12-02 16:59:39 · answer #4 · answered by Alice H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bless your heart.
Yes, i tried to take my life at a young age. My folks heart was so broken, I went away to Lester Rolloffs home for girls, you can googleit if you want, istayed for 6 months. my husband had left me, to run around inso many words!
i read the Bible, & praiesed God , it helps for God inhibits praise, if you want to get his attention, & get the devil off your back,
My heart really goes out to you, i am treated for some bi-polarism, & anxiety disorder presently from taking antibiodics they gave me too strong! & now when i take them i shake! i deal day to day, & that's all you can do & pray.
God bless you, i'm sure going to pray for yo;ur peace & see Pastor Art in my contacts, He will pray with you, he'sreally a pastor, & his blog is really encouraging, it's realy worth checking out. Go to God, make haste as i see much pain in your words...............
2007-12-02 17:04:03 · answer #5 · answered by AnnaMaria 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will pray for you. You are a good mother and it seems as though you have done the best that you can for your daughter. God Bless You All!
2007-12-02 16:59:54 · answer #6 · answered by Heather 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
what you did was right, im the same age as your daughter and im sure that when she recovers she will greatly appreciate it!!
Just keep faith and hope
if you loose hope, you won't go anywhere
best of luck for you and you daughter
2007-12-02 17:14:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know what to tell you to do, but I am in the same situation with my son. So best of luck to you I know exactly how you feel!!
2007-12-02 16:57:54 · answer #8 · answered by butterflychick31478 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bless you...you only did what you thought was right...
2007-12-02 16:58:30 · answer #9 · answered by tayeloquin2 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
illuminating..........................................................
2007-12-02 20:16:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋