In October 2015 we had a horrible incident where my son was hearing voices and attacked my husband. My daughter had several friends over, I went to bed and about 2 a.m. I heard screaming. I pulled my son off my husband and my husband went to the ER. He had several bruises but was otherwise okay. I went to church the next morning because you just power through. I don't know where the extra strength comes from when you are in trials like this.
This weekend, almost a year after this incident, my oldest son had friends over. I went to bed and started having flashback of the previous incident. I kept worrying that my younger son was going to go psychotic. Nothing happened. My youngest son is doing well right now. I eventually went to sleep. No one has ever diagnosed me with PTSD but I think I have some symptoms of it.
2016 has been relatively calm. My younger son has had a few incidents of voices but no screaming, or violence. We live in fear from what we've gone through. We don't know when it will return.
Showing posts with label Children's health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children's health. Show all posts
Monday, September 26, 2016
Friday, September 2, 2016
Riding the wave of joy and anxiety
I found my joy again! I don't know how or why but I am happy all the time. I'm not saying I don't get anxious but life is happy. My son hasn't cut in months and seems stable. We recently went on vacation to the river and had a great time.
We walked trails, went swimming and cooked on the grill. My son smiled and laughed the whole vacation. It was so refreshing. We had one episode of him dropping a glass pipe and breaking it and he cried. They was the only "abnormal" thing that happened on the trip. We ate out at Applebees which is hard for his vegetarian diet. We went to Wal-Mart and he played the arcade games. Just happy times.
I hope this normalcy can last. We'd like to go on cruise next year. Schizophrenia is so unfriendly. You never know when the voices and demons will return. I don't know when he will become hostile or angry.
Life is precarious.
We walked trails, went swimming and cooked on the grill. My son smiled and laughed the whole vacation. It was so refreshing. We had one episode of him dropping a glass pipe and breaking it and he cried. They was the only "abnormal" thing that happened on the trip. We ate out at Applebees which is hard for his vegetarian diet. We went to Wal-Mart and he played the arcade games. Just happy times.
I hope this normalcy can last. We'd like to go on cruise next year. Schizophrenia is so unfriendly. You never know when the voices and demons will return. I don't know when he will become hostile or angry.
Life is precarious.
Saturday, August 22, 2015
New Day
I started working at a new school. I am a teacher and the depression has really taken a toll on me on how I conduct my class. I just don't have the excitement that I use to. This past week has been in service. We get students on Monday. I am really looking forward to getting started. I am working at a small school for children with autism. It will be something new and I am ready to take on the challenge. I've noticed that I still get anxiety (rapid heart beat, difficulty in breathing) so I take the anxiety medicine about twice a day.
I think I am spending too much time on things that make me sad. I started posting on a mental illness discussion board, and joined a schizo affective website. This may be too much for me to handle. Right now my son is not hearing voices, and he is not acting out violently. We are doing well this week. I think the discussion board and website may just be reminders that I don't want.
I think the main things I need to focus on are things that make me happy-watching T.V. with my daughter, morning coffee with my husband, taking my son to Sprouts to shop, and lesson planning. I still try to do my hobbies-crafts, scrap booking, reading, but they haven't been bringing me joy. I try to keep doing the hobbies in hopes the joy returns.
I recently got involved in jury duty. The best part was talking to the other jurors. I met some really nice people. I tend to be shy and the whole situation of us sitting and waiting for the judge to call us in for interviews made it more conducive to "talk." I didn't get picked as a juror but the experience was really good.
I have hope for the future. I wish I could stop worrying so much about my son.
I think I am spending too much time on things that make me sad. I started posting on a mental illness discussion board, and joined a schizo affective website. This may be too much for me to handle. Right now my son is not hearing voices, and he is not acting out violently. We are doing well this week. I think the discussion board and website may just be reminders that I don't want.
I think the main things I need to focus on are things that make me happy-watching T.V. with my daughter, morning coffee with my husband, taking my son to Sprouts to shop, and lesson planning. I still try to do my hobbies-crafts, scrap booking, reading, but they haven't been bringing me joy. I try to keep doing the hobbies in hopes the joy returns.
I recently got involved in jury duty. The best part was talking to the other jurors. I met some really nice people. I tend to be shy and the whole situation of us sitting and waiting for the judge to call us in for interviews made it more conducive to "talk." I didn't get picked as a juror but the experience was really good.
I have hope for the future. I wish I could stop worrying so much about my son.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Schizoaffective Disorder
I feel we have had a crisis fed month. Our son threatened suicide several times one week end. We called the suicide hotline and they said to talk to his therapist. We went in for an appointment and was told that he is schizoaffective. He has a mood disorder in addition to the schizophrenia. She suggested a partial program. We started the partial program right away. The first few days were good. He liked the yoga and art classes. He got into one argument with a staff member because he wasn't in the group meeting he was suppose to be in. It went down hill from there. He continued to sit out of group and rejected help from the counselor and psychiatrist. He discharged himself after 5 days; it was a 10 day program. I felt we had been discarded. Help wasn't given to get him to stay in the program. We were just let go.
Two days later he cut himself so bad he needed 6 stitches. I went to his room to give him his medicine and his pants were completely soaked with blood. He had decided he would just bleed out. He had accepted death. We took him to the emergency room and they put him in a behavioral health unit. Again, I didn't think the hospital helped us as much as we needed. He went to the behavioral health unit on a Thursday night and was released on Saturday with no medicine changes.
We went back to the psychiatrist who increased the medicine he was on and added a mood stabilizer. We are on the second week of the changed meds. He laughs randomly so much that I worry about him.
I think the main concern now is the laughing. Last night we could hear him all night long laughing. He has laughed in his room all day today. He will talk to himself and laugh at himself. He has come to the kitchen a few times and continued laughing. I worry about him.
Two days later he cut himself so bad he needed 6 stitches. I went to his room to give him his medicine and his pants were completely soaked with blood. He had decided he would just bleed out. He had accepted death. We took him to the emergency room and they put him in a behavioral health unit. Again, I didn't think the hospital helped us as much as we needed. He went to the behavioral health unit on a Thursday night and was released on Saturday with no medicine changes.
We went back to the psychiatrist who increased the medicine he was on and added a mood stabilizer. We are on the second week of the changed meds. He laughs randomly so much that I worry about him.
I think the main concern now is the laughing. Last night we could hear him all night long laughing. He has laughed in his room all day today. He will talk to himself and laugh at himself. He has come to the kitchen a few times and continued laughing. I worry about him.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
A few good months!
It's been 3 months since my last blog and everything is going smoothly. My son has not had an " episode" in so long it's hard to remember just how bad it can get.
He seems to be doing fine on the low dose of medication. We even took a vacation! With his episodes, it's been hard to take him places because we never know what might happen. Through God's grace we had a peaceful trip. He was able to handle the flight, all the touristy stuff and restaurants. I am happy beyond belief!
I want to just be happy with where we are but am constantly bombarded with thoughts like he needs to work, go to college, get a driver's license. He is content staying in his room, coming out occasionally and visiting with friends about once a week.
Living one day at time and not worrying about the future seems to be the only way to get by.
He seems to be doing fine on the low dose of medication. We even took a vacation! With his episodes, it's been hard to take him places because we never know what might happen. Through God's grace we had a peaceful trip. He was able to handle the flight, all the touristy stuff and restaurants. I am happy beyond belief!
I want to just be happy with where we are but am constantly bombarded with thoughts like he needs to work, go to college, get a driver's license. He is content staying in his room, coming out occasionally and visiting with friends about once a week.
Living one day at time and not worrying about the future seems to be the only way to get by.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
It's ruled it's ugly head
After 7 months of being virtually symptom free, we are back in turmoil. He has not being taking his medicine consistently and started with an angry outburst 10 days ago. This time has been different because the first few days we had mania (he was very happy) and he had a day of disorganized speech. Then the aggression started. He has been aggressive every night the last 4 nights.
I don't know what is part of schizophrenia or bi-polar and what he should be able to control. One time I told him to stop cussing and he said "The girl made me cuss and I get the consequences." Another time he kept saying that he wished the "guy" would stop and that he hated being this way.
Is the anger and cussing which has been the major symptoms of the last 10 days part of the mental illness? If so he is going to hit someone at some point and end up in jail. At one point, he grabbed his dad's arm digging his fingers in his arm and biting him. His dad now has 2 different cuts and redness on his arm. He said that he did it because he wouldn't stop talking. I have seen him get frustrated with people talking many times. It's not like we can be on guard to not talk to him too much.
This episode is very different because he can seem fine. He can be very coherent. He can reason. I'm so confused about what to expect from him. We go to the psychiatrist tomorrow but I don't expect answers. I hope I'm wrong. I probably should join a support group. I need answers and I'm not getting the help I need.
I don't know what is part of schizophrenia or bi-polar and what he should be able to control. One time I told him to stop cussing and he said "The girl made me cuss and I get the consequences." Another time he kept saying that he wished the "guy" would stop and that he hated being this way.
Is the anger and cussing which has been the major symptoms of the last 10 days part of the mental illness? If so he is going to hit someone at some point and end up in jail. At one point, he grabbed his dad's arm digging his fingers in his arm and biting him. His dad now has 2 different cuts and redness on his arm. He said that he did it because he wouldn't stop talking. I have seen him get frustrated with people talking many times. It's not like we can be on guard to not talk to him too much.
This episode is very different because he can seem fine. He can be very coherent. He can reason. I'm so confused about what to expect from him. We go to the psychiatrist tomorrow but I don't expect answers. I hope I'm wrong. I probably should join a support group. I need answers and I'm not getting the help I need.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Life without major symptoms
He has been virtually symptom free for 7 months. We have not seen him act manic, hear voices, have delusions, or have disorganized speech. Paranoia rules its ugly head from time to time and he can also give human feelings to objects.
The paranoia I take with a grain of salt. Maybe I should be more concerned. I just don't see it disrupting his life. Some of the things he is paranoid about are-he believes we should not come in his room with shoes on because it will contaminate the area. He believes his dad is out to get him. He has overheard people talking on their cell phone and thought they were talking about him. He believes that fluoride disrupts dreams.
He frequently gives human feelings to objects. He names his plants and is very concerned with how they are treated. He believes that water goes through bends and curves and thus becomes unhappy. Since the tap water is unhappy, he only drinks bottled water.
The months without schizophrenic episodes have helped me heal. I'm not in a constant fear of what he'll do. He still can get frustrated when talked to too often but is generally in a good mood. He gets together with friends. He smiles and laughs. He enjoys life. This helps me to enjoy life also.
The paranoia I take with a grain of salt. Maybe I should be more concerned. I just don't see it disrupting his life. Some of the things he is paranoid about are-he believes we should not come in his room with shoes on because it will contaminate the area. He believes his dad is out to get him. He has overheard people talking on their cell phone and thought they were talking about him. He believes that fluoride disrupts dreams.
He frequently gives human feelings to objects. He names his plants and is very concerned with how they are treated. He believes that water goes through bends and curves and thus becomes unhappy. Since the tap water is unhappy, he only drinks bottled water.
The months without schizophrenic episodes have helped me heal. I'm not in a constant fear of what he'll do. He still can get frustrated when talked to too often but is generally in a good mood. He gets together with friends. He smiles and laughs. He enjoys life. This helps me to enjoy life also.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
When you realize you have empathy
I never could have guessed what was going to happen. I saw another person for the first time with voices and delusions like my son. Last school year I home schooled a 5th grader with autism. I was told he had mental illness too but I never saw it. His mother told me of anger outburst but I don't think I ever witnessed anything that I would consider abnormal.
Yesterday I was called and asked to home school this boy again. I said we could do a trial week and see how it goes. I could not believe my eyes and ears. This boy was talking of spirits. He worried the teapot on my stove was a caldron. He worried the small witch standing on the table was a voodoo doll. He stood on the furniture and screamed to God that he wanted to do what was right. He tearfully cried that he didn't want to have this illness. He called it bi-polar.
I was shook up for hours after he left. I have the same reaction when my son has psychotic moments. It was comforting to know that others also have this problem, but very sad that people have to suffer for voices and delusions they cannot control.
I am left with an emptiness of not knowing how to help. I feel I am more equipped than most to deal with the mental illness of this child but I don't know that my son should hear the screaming of someone else's suffering. This boy is on lithium. I question how long he has been on it and if its had enough time to work. I know my son continued to hear voices on zyprexa. It seems latuda has worked best for him.
My son has not had a psychotic episode in 3 months. I totally understand the seriousness this family goes through with their child. I understand they've had police called on their child and he's only 11. It's a long hard road but maybe I am entering a new level by working with someone else with mental illness. I do know I understand.
Yesterday I was called and asked to home school this boy again. I said we could do a trial week and see how it goes. I could not believe my eyes and ears. This boy was talking of spirits. He worried the teapot on my stove was a caldron. He worried the small witch standing on the table was a voodoo doll. He stood on the furniture and screamed to God that he wanted to do what was right. He tearfully cried that he didn't want to have this illness. He called it bi-polar.
I was shook up for hours after he left. I have the same reaction when my son has psychotic moments. It was comforting to know that others also have this problem, but very sad that people have to suffer for voices and delusions they cannot control.
I am left with an emptiness of not knowing how to help. I feel I am more equipped than most to deal with the mental illness of this child but I don't know that my son should hear the screaming of someone else's suffering. This boy is on lithium. I question how long he has been on it and if its had enough time to work. I know my son continued to hear voices on zyprexa. It seems latuda has worked best for him.
My son has not had a psychotic episode in 3 months. I totally understand the seriousness this family goes through with their child. I understand they've had police called on their child and he's only 11. It's a long hard road but maybe I am entering a new level by working with someone else with mental illness. I do know I understand.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Keeping thoughts positive
I heard at a NAMI meeting that you don't wonder if they'll be another crisis, you just wonder when it will be. We've been in crisis the last 5 days. It began with anger and rages and now it is disorganized speech, crying, and voices.
I wonder as I go through this how I am suppose to help. I clearly benefit him when the crying starts and I am able to reinforce that the voices are lying to him, that what they are saying is not true, and that he is not dying. Death and spirituality seem to be common themes. I feel it's important for me to be here for him.
I am beginning to see my role in a new light. I feel very uneasy when I don't get much accomplished in a day but the days I am available to be there for my son are priceless. I am trying to focus on the good I do for my family and not worry that I don't volunteer as much, and don't work full time. I am still a help meet for my husband, a mother to my children, and keep the house in order.
I am thankful for playing games with my children, cooking dinner for the family, getting paperwork done for the doctor, peaceful moments, money for food and home, and so very much more.
I wonder as I go through this how I am suppose to help. I clearly benefit him when the crying starts and I am able to reinforce that the voices are lying to him, that what they are saying is not true, and that he is not dying. Death and spirituality seem to be common themes. I feel it's important for me to be here for him.
I am beginning to see my role in a new light. I feel very uneasy when I don't get much accomplished in a day but the days I am available to be there for my son are priceless. I am trying to focus on the good I do for my family and not worry that I don't volunteer as much, and don't work full time. I am still a help meet for my husband, a mother to my children, and keep the house in order.
I am thankful for playing games with my children, cooking dinner for the family, getting paperwork done for the doctor, peaceful moments, money for food and home, and so very much more.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Life is good
I think we've got a medication regime now where we can finally get some relief from crisis. I cannot believe that we have had 3 days with normal conversation, good daily living habits, and peace. I am not sure that I should have the confidence that he can be left during the day for me to take on a full time job, yet that is what I want to do. It is very hard to know the right thing to do.
We have many decisions to make because of the mental illness and him turning 18. Do we let him get his driver's license, do we gain full guardianship, how much can he handle? Right now he seems to be so much better. Right now he can drive safely....but what about tomorrow?
Taking things one day at a time is our only option.
We have many decisions to make because of the mental illness and him turning 18. Do we let him get his driver's license, do we gain full guardianship, how much can he handle? Right now he seems to be so much better. Right now he can drive safely....but what about tomorrow?
Taking things one day at a time is our only option.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The battle is on
O God the LORD, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.
~ Psalm 140:7
I feel like we are in a battle. A battle with mental illness. Today we are winning, who knows what the weeks ahead will bring. Today we have a quiet, easy going day.
For some reason I cannot get my mind to rest. For several days now I stay in a mind of upset. I don't know if it's the fear of not knowing what the future holds or just plain fear of what could happen today.
This turmoil in my mind has made it hard to memorize scripture. I meditate all day on one line scriptures and it doesn't seem to stick. I was successful with "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Psalm 127:1 The fact that this scripture stuck to my brain must mean that I can use it in my life. I've thought of our physical house and the Lord in the midst of our conversations and actions and if he doesn't then it is all in vain.
Lord help me. Help Jacob. Please let us conquer the battle.
~ Psalm 140:7
I feel like we are in a battle. A battle with mental illness. Today we are winning, who knows what the weeks ahead will bring. Today we have a quiet, easy going day.
For some reason I cannot get my mind to rest. For several days now I stay in a mind of upset. I don't know if it's the fear of not knowing what the future holds or just plain fear of what could happen today.
This turmoil in my mind has made it hard to memorize scripture. I meditate all day on one line scriptures and it doesn't seem to stick. I was successful with "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Psalm 127:1 The fact that this scripture stuck to my brain must mean that I can use it in my life. I've thought of our physical house and the Lord in the midst of our conversations and actions and if he doesn't then it is all in vain.
Lord help me. Help Jacob. Please let us conquer the battle.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Lost
As I read through the posts that I labeled "Schizophrenia" I realized that despite medication we have had similar problems for 2 years now. I feel like we have lost our son to the disease. We had a good councilor session Thursday and will go back Monday. It is believed that the best we can do for our son is to keep him calm. We should not try to rationalize with him-he departs from reality and trying to get him to understand reason only frustrates him. We were told to not upset him. Let him ramble incoherently. Only insist on him not breaking rules that break the law. Thankfully he eagerly listens when he's not agitated, does chores and wants to be part of the family.
Lost refers to us in so many ways. We don't have a good plan if things were to get out of hand. This week I had an incident where he opened the car door several times while driving down the road. At about 30 miles an hour he was dragging his feet so I stopped and he walked home. Another incident he yelled and screamed to the point that Paul wanted him hospitalized. The only way hospitalization is going to help is to keep him from harming himself or if they could find the right medication. I have no hope that any hospital we have tried will help us. We're lost.
The only stability we have is through God. Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Lost refers to us in so many ways. We don't have a good plan if things were to get out of hand. This week I had an incident where he opened the car door several times while driving down the road. At about 30 miles an hour he was dragging his feet so I stopped and he walked home. Another incident he yelled and screamed to the point that Paul wanted him hospitalized. The only way hospitalization is going to help is to keep him from harming himself or if they could find the right medication. I have no hope that any hospital we have tried will help us. We're lost.
The only stability we have is through God. Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Satan behind me
What a horrible Wednesday! I can't express what it feels like to go a series of days with things going smoothly then have your son brought to you by the police. I wish we could live out on a farm where we had more freedom and not be surrounded by the police, watchful neighbors, etc... I don't like the "system" being involved in our lives.
I could say so much more about specific frustrations but suffice it to say-that was yesterday. Today is today. I have to let go of my 17 year old and watch him make mistakes and take the consequences. It is very hard.
I've found ways through this journey to bring my spirits up and thought I'd share:
I could say so much more about specific frustrations but suffice it to say-that was yesterday. Today is today. I have to let go of my 17 year old and watch him make mistakes and take the consequences. It is very hard.
I've found ways through this journey to bring my spirits up and thought I'd share:
- Listen to music.
- Take a walk.
- Appreciate the little things.
- Be kind to others.
- Talk to a 6 year old.
- Talk to an 80 year old.
- Eat a 1/2 pint of blueberries.
- Write.
- Create something with your hands.
- Clean the house.
- Write a letter or send a card.
- Dance.
- Hug someone.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The simple things
When you go through trials it can be hard to focus on anything but getting through the trial. I believe, through my thankful journal, I am better able to focus on the little things that make life happier. It is okay to be happy even when sadness surrounds you. I think I've given myself permission to smile even though my son is hurting. I don't know if he can gain strength through my positive attitude, but I do know that when I get upset, he's the first one to become sad because I am sad.
Getting through the days can be hard. You want to solve the problems, and get on with life. It's not always that simple. The burden is heavy.
I remember my favorite moments-the simple little things: a cup of coffee in the morning, sitting on the front porch, conversations with loved ones, cooking with my children, relaxing in the hot tub, having a clean house, reading a book, hearing the ocean, making someone smile, a hug, a back rub, and so much more. I am blessed.
Be joyful always (I Thess. 5: 16)...finding joy in the simple little things.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder may be the best diagnosis we have to date. We believe this is a temporary problem but when people say schizophrenia or paranoid schizophrenia it seems like a life long thing.
This year, there's been two incidents. Before the haldol injection there was an incident at school of rocking and crying believing that a friend had committed suicide (they hadn't). Later in the day we had the typical yelling at us, misunderstanding simple statements, talking incoherently really fast, and pacing (an inability to stay still.)
The haldol just wasn't a match for us. He slept 19 hours a day and on the day for a new injection there was a major breakdown. He could not sleep running into the night, returning, leaving, returning...until running in school traffic and laying down in the school parking lot. At this point he was very excited, seeing things that were not there, etc... I took him straight to the hospital where he was given an injection of invega. This episode took about 5 days to run its course.
Invega brought speech problems, involuntary movements, and cotton mouth. Cogentin was given to counteract the side effects. It's 3 weeks later and he's still taking the cogentin 3 times a day as well as buspirone for anxiety.
We don't have a good plan for anti-psychotic medicine. I would love to hear from anyone that can relate, or has encouraging words.
This year, there's been two incidents. Before the haldol injection there was an incident at school of rocking and crying believing that a friend had committed suicide (they hadn't). Later in the day we had the typical yelling at us, misunderstanding simple statements, talking incoherently really fast, and pacing (an inability to stay still.)
The haldol just wasn't a match for us. He slept 19 hours a day and on the day for a new injection there was a major breakdown. He could not sleep running into the night, returning, leaving, returning...until running in school traffic and laying down in the school parking lot. At this point he was very excited, seeing things that were not there, etc... I took him straight to the hospital where he was given an injection of invega. This episode took about 5 days to run its course.
Invega brought speech problems, involuntary movements, and cotton mouth. Cogentin was given to counteract the side effects. It's 3 weeks later and he's still taking the cogentin 3 times a day as well as buspirone for anxiety.
We don't have a good plan for anti-psychotic medicine. I would love to hear from anyone that can relate, or has encouraging words.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Life is calm and the waters are still
The waters are still. It's a good feeling when you aren't in the midst of a storm. We started our son on Haloperidol Decanoate Injections on Feb. 8th. Three days after the injection, he started having muscle spasms that made normal activities difficult. His answer was to remain completely still and ended up sleeping for almost 3 days. The doctor recommended benodryl and said the spasms were the result of the injection being administered into muscle not a reaction to the medication. We will see what happens after the next injection (next month).
He has returned to school for half days and we hope to increase the time at school in the next week. Life is calm. He is functioning well at home, school and church. I like to see my babies okay.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia was a big word for me growing up. I heard many stories about my grandmother who had trouble taking care of my dad because of her schizophrenia. The stories are now becoming more real as I see someone close to me exhibit psychosis.
The stories of my grandmother came from frustration over her, love toward her, and the gentle wish from family to answer my adolescent questions (that never were completely answered, but I don't think that they knew the answers).
My grandmother did not want to take her medicine. Her medicine caused a paralysis in her face, tremors, and muscle weakness. I don't know what medicine she took. Without medicine, she wasn't always aware of her surroundings. She thought people were the devil, and could have bizarre behavior.
Now someone I love very much has had many hallucinations. They are "spirits" talking, explaining the world. I've seen social isolation, tenseness, lack of emotion, anxiousness, lack of activity and problems paying attention.
The medicine can control the hallucinations but when we we're going through a psychotic episode we don't know what to expect. We keep a close watch. We keep knives away. There are extreme laughing, rocking back and forth crying, screaming, good conversation, and sleepless nights.
I don't know anyone dealing with this. Please leave a comment if you can relate. Thanks.
The stories of my grandmother came from frustration over her, love toward her, and the gentle wish from family to answer my adolescent questions (that never were completely answered, but I don't think that they knew the answers).
My grandmother did not want to take her medicine. Her medicine caused a paralysis in her face, tremors, and muscle weakness. I don't know what medicine she took. Without medicine, she wasn't always aware of her surroundings. She thought people were the devil, and could have bizarre behavior.
Now someone I love very much has had many hallucinations. They are "spirits" talking, explaining the world. I've seen social isolation, tenseness, lack of emotion, anxiousness, lack of activity and problems paying attention.
The medicine can control the hallucinations but when we we're going through a psychotic episode we don't know what to expect. We keep a close watch. We keep knives away. There are extreme laughing, rocking back and forth crying, screaming, good conversation, and sleepless nights.
I don't know anyone dealing with this. Please leave a comment if you can relate. Thanks.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
When values go amuck!
As a young child he was quiet, not easily provoked, never took up for himself and very deep in his thought process. At 3 he could add a list of numbers in his head. By 2 nd grade he was writing books, complete with titles to chapters and illustrations. By 6th grade these stories had turned into comic books that clearly illustrated his view of the world.
When he was in 4th grade he stated that he didn't think that an animal God created should be eaten when we have other food to eat. No one had seen a child make such an ethical choice at such a young age, and stick with it as long as has he has (6 years now).
The boy now is struggling with teenage problems. He has experienced marijuana, pills, and sneaking out in the night. The boy has high ethics, respect and integrity so we ask, "What happened?" The bible says in Proverbs 22:6 that children will return to the way they were raised.
As our children get older and life moves faster, activities take over, and less time is spent in the amount of time we spend talking. This boy with both strong ethics and bad choices can be brought back to making good choices. There are many ways to teach values to teens:
-Make a list of family values.
-Write a contract of expectations.
-Require time that the family eats together.
-Have one-on-one time just to talk.
-Take an interest in your child's friends.
-Spend time together doing fun, family activities.
-Volunteer together.
We are checking in daily and praying....
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