Hi @dazzlejazz, thank you, I will accept your hug! I hope you're feeling like there is support for you having found ReachOut :-) I think it's quite understandable to unload on those closest to us when our coping mechanisms are completely exhausted. I'm glad though that you and your husband have been able to work through such awful times.
My daughter is doing pretty well now, thank you. She's working hard (so far) to get through year 10. She has her issues that are ongoing, but in comparison to where we were, things are much better. It's tiring though, she's at home 24/7 and sometimes I must admit I miss having time off. I do lie - she plays tennis each week for 90 minutes, so that gives me an hour each week taking out travel time!
I relate to your hospital experience. It was always a 4-6 hour wait for help. One night she was taken in after an episode around 7pm. At midnight I walked out with her. She wasn't fed and naturally after waiting so long she was agitated again. On one occasion the mental health people she did see told her they would organise to get her a dog - because that's what she wanted. We live in a unit with 2 cats!! I said no, but they didn't listen. So many stories I could share about mental health and hospitals!
Self care is difficult when your child is suffering. You kind of feel guilty if you're doing something that makes you feel better. After a few years of feeling like that myself, I finally listened to what was being said to me. I realised I couldn't continue on or be the best I could be for my girl, if I didn't take the time to recharge and be kind to myself. I believe it helps me cope better now. Sometimes I forget until I feel myself losing patience, and I need to remind myself to be my own best friend. Check out the topic on self care, there are some great tips.
I wonder what would entice your son out to fix his motorbike? It would be interesting to find out what thought process it is that is stopping him.
Keep in touch.
