DMBirchall
06-08-2003, 08:10 PM
Are any of you medicated? Prozac or valium etc.? I don't usually believe in these kinds of drugs but ever since my daughter's diganosis and since going in public more and more with her for evaluations, doctor appointments, etc. I have not been doing real well. I haven't been sleeping, sometimes can't stop crying, just generally overwhelmed by it all. Also when we are in public Hannah gets so overstimulated and hyper I can't control her at all I feel so stressed that I feel I am going to have a stroke, pull my hair out, or have a coronary. Anyone else ever feel like this?
Also I have twin daughters and since all the problems with Hannah (mildly Autistic) I have a lot less patience for my other daughter Sarah. When Sarah misbehaves it makes me crazy because she can. I don't want to be unfair with Sarah but it gets hard.
Since this is all so new and we have been so busy just with appointments trying to get interventions etc. I haven't had time to join a local support group. I have a doctor's appointment for myself tomorrow and I am going to see if there is anything that can help me cope at least temporarily.
Thanks for your responses!
Darla
Marietta, GA
Also I have twin daughters and since all the problems with Hannah (mildly Autistic) I have a lot less patience for my other daughter Sarah. When Sarah misbehaves it makes me crazy because she can. I don't want to be unfair with Sarah but it gets hard.
Since this is all so new and we have been so busy just with appointments trying to get interventions etc. I haven't had time to join a local support group. I have a doctor's appointment for myself tomorrow and I am going to see if there is anything that can help me cope at least temporarily.
Thanks for your responses!
Darla
Marietta, GA
Sponsor
momof wildchilds
06-08-2003, 10:33 PM
I don't know how long ago your child was diagnosed, but it will get better. It seems when you first get a diagnosis, there is so much to do. Hopefully, the doctor you're seeing will be able to help you through this. Good luck!
rids
06-08-2003, 11:34 PM
First, I applaud you for realizing that you are not feeling your "usual" self. Trying to cope with this diagnosis plus work on interventions plus other kids plus hubby (if you have one)plus time for yourself, the house, and maintain any sense of normalcy is terribly rough on you & everyone else in the beginning. I am sure you are also thinking about all those dreams for the future plus what does the future actually hold for your daughter and the rest of your family.
**If you are feeling poorly, you will not be able to help anyone else. Many people take medications, go to therapy, etc. both temporarily and long term- there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed nor ashamed of. You have a lot on your plate right now, and need to take of yourself, so you can figure out the best way to balance what needs to be done, what can wait, and time to just breathe...
**If you are feeling poorly, you will not be able to help anyone else. Many people take medications, go to therapy, etc. both temporarily and long term- there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed nor ashamed of. You have a lot on your plate right now, and need to take of yourself, so you can figure out the best way to balance what needs to be done, what can wait, and time to just breathe...
mommylovesherautisicchild
06-09-2003, 10:46 AM
hi,
You are perfectly normal. I found myself feeling the same way at first and I take zanx. My daughter Hannah would get out of control and I would go crazy. But as time passed I felt much better. God bless you and take care.
crystal
You are perfectly normal. I found myself feeling the same way at first and I take zanx. My daughter Hannah would get out of control and I would go crazy. But as time passed I felt much better. God bless you and take care.
crystal
chiro8deuce
06-09-2003, 03:50 PM
Hello, all. My wife is the coordinator of an ABA program in Rochester, NY and I am a Chiropractic Intern who has taken great interest in Autism. I have the following to offer, from my intereactions with my wife and her experiences:
It's great that you appear to be past the denial phase. This is often VERY difficult for parents to come to grips with. I echo the sentiments of the member who said that you can't help anyone until you help yourself. Please, take all the time, care and money you need to get yourself adjusted to the diagnosis first. Later, you will be able to adjust your "goals" for your child. As you do that, I can only plead that you always see the inner beauty of the child as an individual. He or she may no longer be in the running to be a neurosurgeon or a rock star, but how many "normal" kids ever really are? Rejoice in the fact that your child can be different than everyone else in a refreshing way. Later on, issues of conformity will no doubt cause problems. However, if you continually reinforce the glory of your child's individuality, and stress his/her strengths instead of pushing him/her into a conformity he/she'll never fit into, you will develop a happy, successful child! Good luck.
Greg Richardson
It's great that you appear to be past the denial phase. This is often VERY difficult for parents to come to grips with. I echo the sentiments of the member who said that you can't help anyone until you help yourself. Please, take all the time, care and money you need to get yourself adjusted to the diagnosis first. Later, you will be able to adjust your "goals" for your child. As you do that, I can only plead that you always see the inner beauty of the child as an individual. He or she may no longer be in the running to be a neurosurgeon or a rock star, but how many "normal" kids ever really are? Rejoice in the fact that your child can be different than everyone else in a refreshing way. Later on, issues of conformity will no doubt cause problems. However, if you continually reinforce the glory of your child's individuality, and stress his/her strengths instead of pushing him/her into a conformity he/she'll never fit into, you will develop a happy, successful child! Good luck.
Greg Richardson
T-bone-Mama
06-10-2003, 12:40 AM
Yes, I have felt some of the same feelings as you since my son was recently diagnosed with PDD-NOS. I'm also in the process of dealing with a 15-year old daughter who is battling a drug addiction. I have thought about trying an anti-depressent, but since my daughter was put on one at the drug re-hab, I have been reading up on the side effects and difficulty in stopping some of these drugs, and have decided to try other methods first. Here are some things that I find are helping me; although I don't mean to say that I feel "normal" just yet. 1. Find someone you can talk to about how you're feeling, whether it's a good friend or a professional counselor. 2. Try getting some excersise each day. I started going for brisk walks after fights with my daughter several months ago, it really helped me deal with the anger when I almost felt like I could get violent; now it is helping somewhat with the depression. 3. If possible, try to find time to get away for short periods of time and do something that you (used to) enjoy. For me, it's making music. When I am performing, I block out all of my problems. 4. Believe that things will get better; you won't always feel this bad. And if you need to go on medication, don't feel guilty about it.
JudithDoherty
06-13-2003, 08:30 PM
Greg writes,
"Rejoice in the fact that your child can be different than everyone else in a refreshing way. Later on, issues of conformity will no doubt cause problems. However, if you continually reinforce the glory of your child's individuality, and stress his/her strengths instead of pushing him/her into a conformity he/she'll never fit into, you will develop a happy, successful child! Good luck."
Greg, while I appreciate your sincerity, I have to tell you as the mother of two with autism who is just completing a grad program in SPED, my first-hand experience is that while I am sure every parent here loves and appreciates their child/children's "individuality" this is a very difficult situation for a parent. It is lifelong and changes every thing about the world as you knew it.
As far as "good that you are over the denial stage" well, sometimes I think denial is under-rated, LOL! Seriously, /I can see that you mean well, but it is very differnt to work with children on the ASD spectrum than it is to aprent them 24/7 for the rest of your life.
Respectfully,
"Rejoice in the fact that your child can be different than everyone else in a refreshing way. Later on, issues of conformity will no doubt cause problems. However, if you continually reinforce the glory of your child's individuality, and stress his/her strengths instead of pushing him/her into a conformity he/she'll never fit into, you will develop a happy, successful child! Good luck."
Greg, while I appreciate your sincerity, I have to tell you as the mother of two with autism who is just completing a grad program in SPED, my first-hand experience is that while I am sure every parent here loves and appreciates their child/children's "individuality" this is a very difficult situation for a parent. It is lifelong and changes every thing about the world as you knew it.
As far as "good that you are over the denial stage" well, sometimes I think denial is under-rated, LOL! Seriously, /I can see that you mean well, but it is very differnt to work with children on the ASD spectrum than it is to aprent them 24/7 for the rest of your life.
Respectfully,
tmooreLPN
06-27-2003, 12:59 AM
My son is five years old and was just diagnosed as having high functioning autism. At that time, I was going through nursing school, working and felt guilty enough about never seeing my kids. At the same time I was also dealing with another son with ADHD, so it was not good timing if there ever is a good time to hear that diagnosis. I couldn't have made it through without medication. I think we as parents need to take care of ourselves so we can care for our children and if that means medication then that's what's needed, there's no shame in it.