Daughter Major Depression w Psychotic Features [Archive]

jazzandmetal?

10-28-2008, 01:09 AM

Anyone been through this with their kid or themselves? She has been on an anti-depression drug and anti-psychotic. They are backing her off the anti-psychotic and the psychosis is gone but she is having to learn copping skills to deal with some paranoia's that are still around. Really tough to see her have to go through this. I will see her through this. Any word for me
Thanks

My thoughts are with you and your daughter in getting through this. One of my good friends went through this and was in an institution for a month because of it. He was out of work for a month after that and the meds really had him messed up. He is a lot better though and back to normal life. He still gets a little weird sometimes, but is really much better equipped to handle life after learning some coping skills and keeping on some of his meds.

macmeda

10-28-2008, 01:12 AM

Thanks for the reply She spent a few weeks in the hospital as well, that was the bottom it's been gradually up since then

jazzandmetal?

10-28-2008, 01:15 AM

My friend got arrested due to an episode. That is when he finally went in for treatment. But like I said, he is so much better now. He bought a house last year and is going in the right direction in life. I am sure your daughter will get through it. Just be there for her and get to know and understand the disease she is going to have to deal with.

macmeda

10-28-2008, 01:25 AM

Thanks again Jazz

devilrob1979

10-28-2008, 01:55 AM

My wife had a period of psychosis and depression after her mom died and her entire family basically turned their back on her. I won't go into details but it got very ugly. She hit bottom last year after she left me last year and has been gradually getting better ever since. It got really bad for a little while. She's since moved back and things are better. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I was severely depressed as a kid as well and I'm what would be called a normie now. There is hope. My best to you and your family.

tonedaddy

10-28-2008, 02:06 AM

I have a step-daughter who suffered through significant mental health issues from childhood through adolescence, and she spent some time in hospitals, etc. It was tough to see her suffer with/through it, and tough to go through some stressful family situations it created. It didn't help that it seemed like the mental health professionals often seemed at a loss to figure out what was going on, changing diagnoses/medications/treatments to see what would help. I don't say that necessarily as a slight to them, rather that it deepened my appreciation that the mind of a healthy child/adolescent is an incredibly complex thing, only made more so when they suffer from mental health issues.

I can't imagine our situation was comparable to yours, but if you ever want to communicate about anything, feel free to pm me. Fortunately I found some friends to talk to about it, just to handle the stress.

My thoughts & prayers are with you and your family, and wish you all the best for your daughter's health.

enharmonic

10-28-2008, 05:22 AM

I live with PTSD and episodes of major depression. The key for me was finding the right help, and working with the tools learned as often as possible...even when I'm feeling "good"

I will pray for you and your daughter. There is light at the end of the tunnel...but there are often many other tunnels.

metz420

10-28-2008, 07:20 AM

This is a very hard thing to go through and my heart goes out to you and your daughter. My sister has been struggling with depression for a while and it is hard to watch. She has been struggling to manage it for some time, often with relatively sustained highs (energetic, engaged, positive) and severe lows (weight gain, substance abuse, isolation). I think the hardest thing is the impact it has on family. Despite my desire to stand by and support her, I am often required to retreat just to stay sane myself. I often struggled with anger towards her as I felt like she was "choosing" to be this way. I realize now that she doesn't want to live like this anymore than we do, but she simply does not have the tools to help herself. They don't tell you this when working with depression.

I've had some personal experience dealing with addicts and people with depression/anxiety. In the end, despite all of the advice and instructions I've been given, it comes down to experiences. Creating positive experiences that reinforce the desired mental state will help retrain the brain to see things differently. Sometimes, just spending time with another that is struggling is enough. Other times require more. Regardless, you must keep layering one experience after another to build that foundation.

I wish you the best in these difficult times and, as you can see, you are not alone in this.

Erik

10-28-2008, 07:48 AM

Yes, someone very close to me has been diagnosed bipolar/schizophrenic. Treatment isn't always an exact science...it will take patience, hard work, and a lot of tolerance. I can't stress that enough. I won't pull any punches, you have a difficult path ahead of you...but not as difficult as your daughter. My best advice would be to dive into educating yourself on the subject matter. Learn as much as you possibly can, it will help you have intelligent conversations with her physicians and assist in getting her the help she needs in the most timely manner.

wahfreak

10-28-2008, 08:07 AM

I had a bout with some serious depression a while back. Getting on the right meds was important as you probably already know. There are a number of meds that work for some but not others. If something doesn't seem to be working, try something else (with your dr's help of course). Also finding the right therapist is equally if not more important. I went through my share of complete idiot therapists before I found one that actually wanted to help me. Again, if it's not working find someone else. Lastly, don't give up!

Best of luck to you and your daughter.

go7

10-28-2008, 08:23 AM

My son has Graves disorder Aspergers and a few others. 18 years of hell. Can`t get him to take meds. Daily threats and violent acts. My idea of heaven is the day he leaves. Good luck.

Sandy

10-28-2008, 09:57 AM

My 16 year old son is suffering from depression right now. I have him in therapy, but he doesn't want to take any medication. Unfortunately I think it is latent affects from the divorce my ex and I just went through, and his dad remarrying rather quickly. He never really grieved like the rest of us, so it is showing up now. I'm optimistic that we'll get through this, but it is incredibly hard on all of us. The good news out of it is that we have all rallied around as a family, and my son knows that even though we are divorced we are his parents first, and we are still "a family" in that regard. I know just a little of what you are going through, and my heart goes out to you.

donnyjaguar

10-28-2008, 10:39 AM

I have a friend with mental health issues (psychosis, delusions, paranoia, mild schizophrenia etc.) and he's been in denial for years. It would appear family and friends begging him to get treatment aren't convincing enough. Getting arrested and going to jail for a few months for battery wasn't enough either as he turned down the weekly psychiatrists visits. This is really tragic as they guy is extremely bright and articulate. Any advice appreciated.

shadco

10-28-2008, 10:53 AM

How do I say this?

It's hard.

Welcome to my family's life.

It's a day to day struggle, you will find yourself trying to do anything and everything possible to help your loved one. It isn't fair, it isn't well understood, I'm not sure after 5 years we even have an accurate diagnosis.

The bottom line is that there isn't much you can do that will have direct effect. The hardest thing is to realize that the decisions and actions you will observe aren't founded in any form of logic or reason, it's extraordinarily hard not to take things personally but don't it isn't productive.

I hear of some who are successful in getting on a medication regime that actually helps, we haven't been so lucky. Sorting through the 30 or so pills that need to be taken each day, reading the labels, trying to understand the side effects, and watching the impact they have on the person taking them drives home a very hard reality. There's nothing like looking at your 18 year old and wondering how they go day to day acting like an 80 year old with Parkinson's disease.

I believe you need to be there for them, Join a support group, I recommend NAMI.

If you have health insurance with some mental health coverage you need to be extraordinarily careful about how it's used at least until Mental Health parity kicks in in 2010.

We have had our annual and lifetime entitlements squandered by institutions that are more interested in extracting the dollars available via the plan than they are in helping the patient.

Often times this situation is forced on you by the state. Once they are over 18 the system is going to treat them like adults and you can be easily walled off by the system as they squander the resources available to you.

Get informed, put plans in place on how to deal the the eventualities, (risky behaviors) that almost always occur with this disease so that you are prepared in advance, and then hope to hell that what I've just said doesn't all come true.

Be prepared as you dig into how to deal with this you will find many folks that were totally caught out by this, don't be one of them if at all possible.

My prayers go with you and pm if you want.

Kingbeegtrs

10-28-2008, 11:35 AM

I'm very sorry to hear this. Hang in there.

shihanderek

10-28-2008, 11:50 AM

I too am sorry to hear about this. I have a 20 year old daughter who is struggling with depression also, and is greatly underachieving after having been an exceptionally bright student all thru school. She has trouble getting up each day. Your situation is significantly more difficult, and will take a bunch of support from a variety of areas and lots of patience.

I have a Master's degree in counseling and worked in the community mental health system for over 10 years, mainly with kids and families. You are welcome to pm if you have any specific questions, as I just about saw it all when I was in that field.

elkym

10-28-2008, 11:54 AM

My wife is in recovery from an eating disorder, and it definitely plays a hand in how I react to some things, and it's changed my diet a little bit (I try not to eat things that I know will bother her when she's around).
I've found that consistency and flexibility are the important factors in my own behavior.
God bless, and good luck! (if luck really exists)

whitehall

10-28-2008, 12:38 PM

And by all means anyone in this thread join or go look at NAMI. I have been a member for years. Just a wealth of information . They are as useful as a PDR.

macmeda

10-28-2008, 01:08 PM

I am overwhelmed by all this support, and have received almost as many PM's from people. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. It took a lot of tries to find good caring doctors, but was worth it. We spent $250 a session on her Psychiatrist but he seems to have hit it right on with the med's first time and now she is tapering off successfully so far. Some day are defiantly better than others I will PM some of you that have offered as soon as I can.

KeithC

10-28-2008, 01:18 PM

My son-in-law has bi-polar problems and it is really causing trouble in my daughter's marriage. So much so that I don't think they can end up staying together.

I know this is nothing compared to what you are going through ( including many others in this thread ) but I can offer my best wishes and hope that things continue to get better.
Of course, as you have seen just in this thread in our relatively small community here, you are not alone. :)

James Dawson

10-28-2008, 03:05 PM

A friend told me of her trials and tribulations of her two sons and her husband, all suffering due to bipolar and manic depression. One son stayed on his meds, the other did not and eventually disappeared. They have looked all across the country for him and fear the worst.

But with her other son, who occassionally slips off his meds and problems ensue, she decided to schedule an appointment with the local police chief to discuss seminars and educational materials for police officers who may wind up dealing with individuals off of their meds or suffering from other problems.

The police thanked her, took steps to further educate the patrolmen and women, as they said this sort of information could prevent a critical error that could prove fatal.

A conversation with the local police might be a good idea, too.

I wish you the best and hope matters become managable.

pfflam

10-28-2008, 03:09 PM

My heart goes out to you:

I pray that my 5-year old daughter has a stable psychic life. There was some depression in my father's side of the family and some Bipolar, particularly with the women.

It would break my heart no end to have anything like this happen to her, she is the one thing that keeps me sane and going, I love her so profoundly that it wracks my entire being.

I pray to my Spinozistic Diety for the health and happiness of your daughter . . . and mine too.

Gris

10-28-2008, 03:38 PM

Sandy

10-28-2008, 03:45 PM

My daughter suffered depression and tried to kill herself when she was 16 (almost suceeded). On the way back from the hospital Joni's remake of 'Clouds' came on the radio and I had to pull over and sob. Still can't listen to that song w/o tearing up. Anway, at 20 now those days seem way behind her. Hopefully your daughter will grow out of it too. Many young people do seem to.

God I hope so! My situation is nothing like the OP's but it is still heartbreaking. So glad to hear that your daughter is doing so much better. I wouldn't want to be a teenager today and marvel that more don't get caught up in all the drama and temptations.

Prodigy

10-28-2008, 04:07 PM

Sorry about the situation you are in...If you don't mind me asking, has the Psychiatrist prescribed a low dosage of Seroquel? It's an anti-psychotic, but it is also good for calming down an overactive mind, and also aids with sleep. Worth inquiring about anyways.

nsureit

10-28-2008, 04:44 PM

God bless everyone of you in this thread, and the ones we don't know about. You folks are incredibly strong and resilient. I am very humbled by your experiences.

Zelmo

10-28-2008, 05:13 PM

macmeda

10-28-2008, 06:57 PM

No Seroquel, just Risperdal (which she is ramping down) and Fluoxetine

HeeHaw

10-28-2008, 07:27 PM

Anyone been through this with their kid or themselves? She has been on an anti-depression drug and anti-psychotic. They are backing her off the anti-psychotic and the psychosis is gone but she is having to learn copping skills to deal with some paranoia's that are still around. Really tough to see her have to go through this. I will see her through this. Any word for me
Thanks

God, I'm sorry to hear this. I lost my mom due to actions and circumstances directly related to her mental illness. Bipolar, manic depression, anxiiety....you name it. I never could get a handle on it with my mom. I pray for you and your daughter.

Peppy

10-28-2008, 07:55 PM

Tough road for many. I work front-line psych...locked facility. Past 16 1/2 years on the night shift. No easy answers for sure...and not saying anyone is necessarily looking for any either. Just saying it's work, luck, commitment, time, teamwork...on and on and on...and even then it can be a real struggle.

ethan walker

11-02-2008, 09:56 AM

macmeda, sorry to hear about your problems. I had an ex w/mild depression and found a few simple things that help a little. One is exercise, even small amounts, I think it can help w/neurotransmitter problems. Another is exposure to sunlight to reset the body clock. Also avoiding a lot of processed foods/junk food. These things won't help someone with severe symptoms much, but they're easy and sure won't hurt.

Ethan

macmeda

11-02-2008, 11:36 AM

Sleepy

11-02-2008, 11:39 AM

Life is mean and nasty
I think some people are just more sensitive too it

hit rock bottom and the only way to go is up

macmeda

11-02-2008, 12:16 PM

[QUOTE=Sleepy;4961394]Life is mean and nasty
I think some people are just more sensitive too it

That is my take on this as well. My daughter, Vaughn, wants the whole world to be fair for all. When she was 4 she said if everybody that could would give 1 dollar we could build homes for the homeless. She's a very heavy thinker. She is wise way beyond her years but is stuck, for now, in a adolescent world. So she went inside with her thoughts.
Thanks

ethan walker

11-02-2008, 12:40 PM

Ethan,
I think you are right on with your suggestions, she was avoiding the sun and exercise. We're working on that. Gym yesterday , bike ride today.
Thanks

Best of luck w/her, glad to be of any help at all. High doses of vitamins may help as well, especially a heavy duty B complex.

Everyone should be aware that some anti-depressants like Cymbalta can have long and painful withdrawal symptoms. Google "Cymbalta withdrawal" and you'll be scared. A friend just weaned off of this stuff and it was quite difficult.

Ethan

FlyingDutchman

11-02-2008, 01:13 PM

I deal daily with major depression. Prozac and Clonazepam seem to help but I still deal with anxiety, paranoia and other issues. Its been about 2 years now of this. In therapy and very aware of my issues. Hope all goes well for your daughter. Would hate to see my son go thru this.

FlyingDutchman

11-02-2008, 01:14 PM

Everyone should be aware that some anti-depressants like Cymbalta can have long and painful withdrawal symptoms. Google "Cymbalta withdrawal" and you'll be scared. A friend just weaned off of this stuff and it was quite difficult.

Ethan

I was on Cymbalta for over 2 years and it is the devil's drug. Worse stuff ever and it should be taken off the market. It is deadly.

Fantom1

11-02-2008, 02:45 PM

Life is not mean and nasty, but there are mean and nasty things in life.

Without getting too "woo woo," the only thing/action that led me back into the ability to experience happiness, joy, fulfillment, etc. was beginning a meditation practice. I won't go into the details/whys of it unless you would like to hear more, but it helped me tremendously, and I've seen it change many lives.

So, there's that fwiw. All the best to your daughter and you.

As a person under 30, I've seen what seems like at least 1/3 of my generation struggle with depression. I went through it for about 15 years until absolutely everything was so black, dull and hopeless. Exercise, love, etc. don't mean much when you're in that state. Meds only cover things up. The ONLY solution that I found was to completely rebuild my way of thinking and understanding of the world.

It's exceptionally hard for young people today who have grown up in a world that reinforces the idea that happiness=stuff. "Money, sex, power," is the message that's repeated ad naseum. But of course those things lead absolutely nowhere. Like buying a guitar, loving it for months or years, but slowly that wanes and GAS comes back.

Norse

11-02-2008, 03:49 PM

Hang in there macmedia! Ethan's advise is great - I would add that corn syrup is a form of sugar that you should try to omit (it's in everything it seems)... sugar is also largely responsible for dimentia type issues.

I would recommend that you look into quality colloidal vitamins & minerals (low levels of lithium have been attributed to the types of issues that you're dealing with here), EFA's (essential fatty acids), amino acids, and PROGESTERONE (building block for female horomones). I've seen progesterone do wonders - look for a quality cream.

Other things to go for:

omit caffiene
omit carbonated beverages of ALL kinds
omit refined sugar (already mentioned).
omit margarine (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils - carcinogenic- promote cancer & give bad fats a foot-hold to cling to in the vascular system. LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS OF EVERYTHING YOU BUY IN THE STORE FOR THIS... it's even in bread!).
Do not eat burned animal fats, meat, or grains.
Much of what I've said here has been gleaned from Dr. Joel Wallach's radio show which you can listen to anytime at ksco.com (wallach 24/7 link). Many health professional's opinions will vary on these items - I've see the benefits of this advise pay-off dramatically in the life of a loved-one, which is why I'm taking the time to pass it on.

Hope that helps - my heart goes out to you!

Greg

phatster

11-02-2008, 07:14 PM

My best to you,your daughter,and family.I been working in this field for thirty years and sometimes get very despondent that we are making so little progress.However I do see people get stabilized and have good lives.I think the insurance parady issue is a beginning to hopefully lessen the stimgma.Sounds like you have found professionals that will hang in there with you and your family,that is priceless.If I could help I will be happy to do so.I work in a University hospital setting that is supposedly cutting-edge in research and practice.God bless,

Jhigley

11-03-2008, 01:09 PM

I was on Cymbalta for over 2 years and it is the devil's drug. Worse stuff ever and it should be taken off the market. It is deadly.

I'm coming off of this stuff right now. I'm a lot worse off now than when I started. The Doc has me on Welbutrin SR but it doesn't seem like it's doing
anything.

Brett Valentine

11-04-2008, 01:12 AM

My heart goes out to you. I've been through it myself and was on prozac for a short period. Be there for her and "don't blink" whatever she does. Sunlight and exercise do help. Even going out for lunch or breakfast regularly with the whole family if possible can help (did for me). You feel really alone when you go through it (nights were the worst for me), but knowing your family is there means something!

You've made up your mind to be in it for the full ride, and that makes a difference (doing that for my mom now -alzheimer's-). You have to always be ready to adjust to what her level of "new normal" is, and her seeing that and your constant, stable support for her is important!

Prayers for you and your family!