support for parents of mentally ill adults

Here is an interesting thing. Like each of us here, we go through some pretty rough stuff with difficult child. There is the usual overwhelming emotional reaction, and the coming back into balance, the PTSD feelings ~ all the things we all go through. So, here is what happened, yesterday. I went...

It's so ironic that just a few short weeks ago I was desperate for difficult child to stop calling me nonstop! When he was in his program he was calling and harassing me constantly because he hated it there. Since he left the program, spent 2 weeks in jail and is now staying with a "friend", I have only...

My son turns 25 today. We have always had a difficult time with him. He had a substance abuse problem at 12 and was diagnosed with a bipolar condition. He was admitted to a residentials treatment center for most of his high school years where he was successfully treated for the substance abuse...

Have posted before about my difficult child son. The stories are all so similar and he's a carbon copy. I managed to save myself, found an apartment on my own before the eviction (which will be June 24th ish) and feeling survivor's guilt about that. My younger son, the straight arrow, and difficult child are living...

Hello! I am new here. I was searching for some helpful advice, and ran across this site. Although I was very thankful to see that others are going through similar situations, I am also very sad to see it as well. My question is whether anyone here has had to diagnose their child's illness...

I am worried. He hasnt been himself lately, very down on himself and talking about how he always feels sick and life :censored: for him and he is only 21 and shouldnt feel this way, I try to talk to him and tell him that he beat on his body for years and that he has very bad habits. He sleeps...

I could use some words or encouragement or advise... I had to have my 18 yr old son removed from my house about a month ago (by the police). He was lying, stealing, manipulating, refusing to obey any rules, he pushed my mother and attacked and threatened me... My heart is breaking.. as I do...

My difficult child and his family came into town last weekend and stayed a few days. The day they were leaving they got in an arguement. His wife then openlu admitted that my difficult child son hasnt worked since last yr, adn that he has been known to hit her. She said it happend that day. I called the police! My difficult child...

Hi all. Just visited with difficult child. He's doing well (31 days clean and sober now, he says). He clearly looks better and sounds better. It is interesting gradually removing the addiction puzzle piece of whatever his "whole" is that makes him....well, frankly....HIM. It does remove a big portion...

Hello All- I've been bothered by some posting over the weekend (and before) and wanted to be upfront about it because sometimes it makes me wonder if I'm in the right place...while I am so appreciative of the wisdom captured in the posts here and the experiences people share, I find that...

Found out today that my 20 y/o difficult child bipolar daughter became enraged and O.D.'ed when her boyfriend tried to get her to help pay for the apartment rent. **shakes as she types this** She had been wasting money from her brand-new job on frivolous things -as usual. She began throwing furniture and scared...

I am tossing back and forth between the various forms of Guardianship and making Kiddo a Ward of the State. My thinking: I am 50 now. Good health, physically strong, able to manage Kiddo physically when she throws a tantrum. I have backup from the Blacksmith when needed. However. With her...

I spent an entire morning at difficult child's school this week. Apparently, due to his lack of attendance they have finally decided to get the Attendance Counsellor on his butt. I asked that he be referred to this Attendance Counsellor last year and they told me they had done it but obviously didn't...

Well, I figured I would follow up on how things went at lunch with L. We made some small talk and kept things light. I had to ask to see her ring. She wouldn't let me hold it. I told her I was sorry that there was a misunderstanding about the dress and I was still looking forward to helping her...

Some of you may or may not recall my 1st post about my 30 yo difficult child that is addicted to meth and has bipolar disorder. Many of you suggested that she may need to leave the house to get the treatment she really needs (i.e., hit bottom). Well, this weekend it happened. She has been gone for...

Hi all, I tried to post yesterday but for some reason it did not go through. Honestly i can't understand how my son can be so so stupid and idiotic. You may remember that we kicked my son out in June. In August he asked to go back to his old program and went and did the work to finish his...

Hi This is Amanda and Dave J. .. We are the parents of a 21 yr old daughter with adhd. She has struggled acdem. all her life.. but we managed to get her through high school ... After high school we enrolled her in a trade school of her choice with the hopes she would develope a career path. She...

Background story here: http://www.conductdisorders.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30016 So I've decided to choose my sanity over wishful thinking about standing my ground, changing her, etc. When difficult child gets here, I'll have to stay put for 10 days max, then I'm flying out of the country, adios. I'm...

I was thinking today about difficult child's life. He started with ADHD diagnosis throught Childrens Developmental services. He took ritilan and adderall throughout elementary and middle school and some of high school. Maybe his diagnosis should have been anxiety all the time. Maybe he should have had...

Seems boyfriend has decided, and dicussed with Nichole, to go for joint custody of Aubrey. You know, I never thought I'd ever say this, but I don't object. At this time he is the more stable parent. Nichole seems h*ll bent on going backward the more we try to push her forward. Add in the Borderline (BPD) stuff...