Category Archives: Health

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Held Hostage by Mental Illness

Some days, I feel like a hostage in my own home. Held hostage by mental illness.  Seriously.  David had a couple of really good days.  Mom took him into the city, he spent time with his favorite Aunt.  Life was good for him. Then there are days like today.  If it isn’t his way, then he will hold the whole house hostage with his behaviors and tantrums. Pretty sad day, when one of the boys leans over and asks me how long we have to deal with the behavior David exhibits before something can be done about it. In reality, it will be a while.  Why?  Need documentation of his behaviors and mental health issues. Facility staff.. If you are reading this, whether or not you ever worked with my son, it is imperative that you document – document – document, every behavior.  I know it feels like tedium at

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It is okay to be tired.

            I am so tired.  I admit it.  And you know what? It’s okay to be tired. Besides the struggle to take care of David and what he needs I also have pretty serious health concerns myself.  None of which react well to stress. Caring for a child like David, well, caring for any child with needs is a huge undertaking.  It can be rewarding, and believe me, we have had our share of rewards.  But it is also so very draining. So from one parent of a special needs child to another. It is okay to be tired.  It is okay to admit it. Tweet #fighting4answrs

the enemy within

David is his own worst enemy. With the increase in behaviors, our psych team has discussed changing one of his medicines.  We aren’t doing a wholesale med wash like we used to do.  Rather we are increasing one of the stabilizers.   Hopefully we will see a change. When we met with the psych team, I commented – in front of David – that the last time he was discharged home from a residential placement, he lasted 8 months before we had to look for placement.   We are in month 3, and a review of my posts from that time, shows that he is on track for another placement. I hate the idea of sending him to another facility, but if he can’t maintain behaviors that are acceptable to society, can’t stop lying, being vocally aggressive to staff and/or going into a rage because he has been caught doing something that

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