Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Moms with Combat Stress
An article appeared recently in the news stating that moms of autistic kids have the same amount of stress as soldiers in combat. No kidding. I think that moms of bipolar kids must have at least that amount of stress and possibly more. I mean we are living with a frequently violent child when they are unstable, which is often much of the time, save for the rare times when all medicines are just right, the school situation is just right, and the rest of the family is doing ok. I wake up every morning since Caroline has come back from the RTC in August with a clenched jaw, muscles in my back and neck in tight knots, and a sense of tension and anxiety following horrible nightmares every night. I think it is PTSD from so many years living in chaos and fear. I need to renew our YMCA membership so I get back into yoga and pilates, which bring healing for us living this sort of life. Combat would definitely describe our daily lives, fighting to keep our children, and ourselves, sane.
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6 comments:
Megan, exercise definitely helps with stress. You might look into getting a massage once in a while, too. Of course that can get expensive, but there may be massage schools in your area that offer them for less. Sorry to hear that things are more stressed right now. It seemed that things had been going pretty well since she came back from Meridell.
I read a similar article (if not the same). I agree
And you are a real trooper.
Boy does this post hit home for me today. We have been dealing with lots of "combat" lately around here.
As the mother of an autistic child and a bipolar one, I have to say, many times dealing with the bipolar is hardest.
Yoga huh? I think I'll have to look into that.
Megan, you are so right-on with this. Once out of the most critical stages I finally found time to see a therapist, get back to yoga and do walking meditations. Daughter Linea was diagnosed with PTSD herself from the terrifying things she has gone through when unstable. She is working on that with her psychologist. Her psychiatrist has assured that the anniversaries of some of the worst times are noted and treated as they arise from year to year as they are triggers. It is not only we parents that have to deal with this but our children! Great post. Do take care. As my therapist reminds me, "Breathe and breathe into yourself a space inside of you, for you." PS It took awhile for me to admit I needed a little help to get through this since I am the "helper" and do this stuff as part of my job!
Yeah! Linea wrote on her blog and offered all of us in the mental health trenches some advice. It means so much more coming from her. I think it will make you smile today! http://www.lineajohnson.blogspot.com
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