Hello again mamanorlax,
Thank you so much for replying.
Im really sorry to hear your 18yo is also struggling and the devastating impact it has on you too.
You are absolutely right in regards to providing love and support, that part we can do as parents.
I just wished services were more appropriate for young adults to engage. My daughter has had the mental health team involved that attend the home as a one off and then she is sent to speak to the psychiatrist or advanced trainee. On both occasions sadly they have not been of English background which was difficult for her to engage as they were both men and of Indian background and she could not understanding them and it made her feel very frightened, so this has exacerbated the situation on both occassions. I know its not their fault, they are just doing their job and are there because they care, but we need to have services that consider the young adults needs, eg: perhaps a female.
The other factor is that she can't speak and get her thoughts out during these episodes, which makes it difficult to engage.
She seen a private psychiatrist, male. Which was great in terms of giving her a likely diagnosis and explained what was happening, however being a male she was not wanting to engage on her own and it became very expensive $150 per visit and could only be done in the mornings which meant asking for more time off work. She has approx 2 weeks off work each episode because she cannot function normally..this at some stage worries me that her work place might become less tolerant the more time she takes off.
She has these aspirations to travel with her friend overseas, but I'm afraid this cannot happen due to the unpredictable nature of this illness.
There seems to be little support, and we don't know where to turn too to get the ongoing support she needs.
Is your young adult child under a psychiatrist? Can I help in anyway?
Stay strong, and reach out if you need to talk. 🌺
