A blog for anyone who needs to know they are not alone in raising a bipolar child.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The Barometer
How Bill and I are feeling is always a good barometer of how well Caroline is doing. Right now, she is not doing well. We aren't either. I can feel the stress level growing like a heavy weight each day. When my chest gets tighter and tighter with each passing hour, and I have a headache from the time I get up in the morning, I know that Caroline's meds aren't right. When Bill begins to look down at the ground in great exasperation while Caroline is raging, I know things are not going in the right direction. I hope another increase in the anti-pyschotic will bring the mania under control. I am fearing hospitalization might await in the near future if the Seroquel has simply stopped working. It is amazing how fast things can change in a week or two. The temperature outside has been around 100 degrees, with a higher heat index from the humidity. This can't be helping. My temper is just under the surface right now. I pray for a cool rain to fall and refresh us, dampening these smoldering fires.
I am sorry to hear that you are having a hard time. What do you do when she rages? Do you have a plan of action? I can just feel the tension.
ReplyDeleteWell, exploding at her in not in the plan of action, but that I did. She was being so __itchy, so disrespectful and mouthy, so I yelled at her. Not great parenting, and didn't help. Bill took her out of the house for a drive to calm her down. I started writing...
ReplyDeleteI am having similar issues here -- as you know.
ReplyDeleteThings were awful Monday, and I ended up walking my son in circles around the neighborhood -- all with me barefoot. I didn't care -- just grabbed his hand, screaming, yelling and raging, and out we went. It worked. For a few minutes.
I hope you are all doing better and soon.
:)
Hartley
Megan - I'm so sorry. I can feel your anxiety. Praying for a cool rain for you.
ReplyDelete((hugs))
Erin
Megan-I am so sorry that things are not good right now, but with your faith and strength I know you will pull through like you always do. Hang in there and I will pray for you. When I want to explode at Kenzie I sometimes start quoting scripture even if it is phrases and not exactly right I still do it and God honors it-keeps me calm. I wish I remember to do it all of the time. Hope that helps. In His Love, Amy Oh, here is another idea for work-what about at one of the kid's schools like an aide or front desk person?
ReplyDeleteLet's face it. Remaining cool, calm and collected when some sassy little kid is being bratty is all just VERY HARD!!! Our dd is only 9 and I can't even imagine what the teen years will be like.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you are having a hard time. There are always adjustments to go through constantly in the summer. I do like the rages either it is very hard to help them get back under control and not loose it yourself. Hang in there a cold front is on its way.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Megan -- my son is acting the same - very ugly, at least one big rage every day -- 75% fine if engaged, not bored, tired, hungry. 25% of the time - bad. Very bad. Broken windows bad. That's alwasy been our barometer... how much stuff gets broken. I called Meridell. I printed out the paper work. I am not sure we're ready, yet. Is 25% horrible "ready" for Meridell?
ReplyDeleteHeather--if your stress level has been super high for many weeks, with no med increases helping significantly, and you feel like he is out of control more than he has ever been, and that all the in patient counseling isn't making a difference, then please don't hesitate about Residential Treatment, at Meridell. The experience as so worth it for our dd, and for us. They were able to control her rages like no one had been able to. You are not going to damage your son by sending him. It sounds like major intervention is needed. Tell me how it goes!
ReplyDelete