Welcome to the Friends, Family and Carers Group Hub! Introduce yourself here 🙂

[outlander]

hello @Walkoneggshells @vikitec and welcome!
well done for reaching out for support

[Determined]

I am not new here but have been away for a while and can see lots of new faces so more of a re introduction.

I have added an update to a previous thread - here - 

I support my wife who lives with BPD

We have an adult son who lives with an intellectual disability. Independent with lots of scaffolding and support. 

We have son who has just left school and started a trade apprenticship. Desperate to leave home to escape the often dysfunction that surrounds us.

And a primary age child with ASD

Blessed that despite the challenges he faces he is always happy, we do not see the meltdowns that are common with this diagnosis. Oblivious to social queues and his surroundings and reliant of structure though.

Aaand

I have just quit my job due to excessive work related stress and fatigue. A tricky couple of months ahead as we regroup and reset. 

[tyme]

Sitting with you @Determined 

@Shaz51 tagging you in to read the post above.

[Shaz51]

Sitting with you @Determined 

My husband has had ASD  added to his line of diagnosis 

[Batgirl89]

Hi,

I'm new here. I'm Autistic and have Functional Neurological Disorder. I care for my husband who has Retinitis Pigmentosa, Auditory Processing Disorder, ADHD and Sever depression and anxiety disorders.

[Batgirl89]

• He has attempted suicide before. [edited by moderator], and he has recently told me that he plans on hurting himself again. I don't think I can go through that again.

[tyme]

Welcome to the forums @Batgirl89 . I've responded to you in the other thread.

I hear how stressful this situation is for you.

[Bella07]

Hi everyone, it's nice to be here. I care for my young adult daughter who has been managing mental illness for the last four years. She experienced a traumatic event four years ago and nothing has been the same since, we've been through an eating disorder, depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety and PTSD. The depression is the most prevalent and so far has proved treatment resistant to various drugs and treatments. She's unable to work or study and is constantly fatigued and unable to concentrate. I've had to completely rearrange my life to live with her and care for her again. I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted and feel like my life is slipping away and there's no endpoint, or even improvement at this stage. I really appreciate the opportunity to hear from others who are going through a similar situation and how you've learned to cope. Thank you. 

[rav3n]

welcome @Bella07 thank you for sharing your story.

being a carer to a loved one experiencing mental health challenges can be overwhelming and draining, especially when all your care and energy is focused on your daughter. i can see that you love your daughter so much and that you're actively looking to support her, but even carers need to look after and prioritise their health too!! are you getting any self-care / 'me-time' in for yourself? whether that's going for a walk, catching up with friends for a coffee, talking to a professional, watching movies, etc. you deserve support, and having those lil moments of 'recharge' can make a big difference in the long-run.

you're definitely not alone, there are members like you in this community and we're here for you. 💙

[Bella07]

Thanks very much for the reply @rav3n  - I try, and succeed sometimes, in terms of self-care - walking, meditation, time in nature. I don't see friends a lot, I find when you're a carer that your friendships change, you don't have much news to share, and people get sick of it or judge you or think they know the answer. You're not invited to events as people assume you can't come. It's tiring. Caring can be a very lonely journey.