Caring for adult child with mental health disorder

Posted by kor @kor, Oct 1 7:54am

My daughter is 25 and lives at home with me only.
The last 12 months she has suffered from severe anixety and depression, diagnosed with adhd, She had history of self harm and attempted suicide. She has been hospitalised twice this year. she has been out of hospital for 11 weeks and now paces for 12 hours a day, will not leave the house and now refusing to engage in her mental health appointments including therapy. This has had a significant impact on my life, well being, job, financial security. i feel like a prisoner in my own home. I don't recognise who she is or who i am. people say i need to prioritise me but I'm not sure how i do that without guilt and feeling like I'm abandoning my mom duty of care. Just looking for some other peoples views or experiences. The impact of her health has impacted far beyond me too, my sister, her friendship group, my elderly dad too

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers Support Group.

thank you .. that message made me smile & feel warm 😍

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Profile picture for bburton @bburton

I agree with @dmr4ever - please reach out to her healthcare provider and particularly, her psychiatrist. Pacing 12 hours a day can indicate akathisia, which can be connected to medications and often occurs many weeks after multiple changes in medication. I feel for you.

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@bburton they are now cross tapering - off escitalopram and introducing sertraline x

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Profile picture for Laurie, Volunteer Mentor @roch

@kor

Welcome to Mayo Connect. It must be very hard being a mom and caregiver to a daughter who is having mental health issues. I have not been in your same situation, but had an adult sister with physical and mental health issues who would not get help. It is so hard to help someone not willing to help themselves.

You may want to review the comments in this discussion; many offer advice on setting boundaries and on organizations that may offer support.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-to-set-boundaries-with-an-adult-child-who-threatens-suicide/
Are you working with social workers or professionals who can offer advice on what to do?

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@roch
Yes, I am

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My adult son who suffers from severe anxiety and treatment resistant depression has a new psychiatrist who wants to reduce his Zanax prescription.

The last time a doctor tried to reduce his medication he was admitted seven times to the hospital in oneyear with attempted suicides. Thanks to Zanax he stopped drinking 20 years ago. I am aware of the long term effects of this medication but the alternatives are worse.

What is the best way I can help him in this situation?

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