support for parents of mentally ill adults

I've seen this condition/diagnosis mentioned here several times so I Googled it and did some reading. Holy cow! Our difficult child is like the textbook case. No P-Doctor or MD she's seen (dozens) has ever mentioned it before, to my knowledge. These are the nine criteria from the APA's Diagnostic and...

How many "experts" of how to manage difficult child behavior have ever lived with a difficult child....for years? Not just read about them in books, tested children for an hour (or for 6 wks), or heard anecdotal stories? Just got wondering. Your thoughts? As we all know, there's nothing quite like having a...

I had my son when I was 18. His father and I had only known each other a few months when I got pregnant, but we've somehow made it work for 21 years. I've been kinda like a single mom in most respects, though. His dad has very little to do with him, and nothing when it comes to guidance or...

It's been about 3 years since I first posted here, although I read here almost daily. This struggle with the difficult child is relentless. I am so worn down and feel defeated. I don't even have the energy to post everything that is going on. I just want to thank everyone for posting their stories, advice...

Some of you know that my difficult child has not been diagnosed but that I suspect she might be bi-polar. Something isn't/hasn't been right for several years, in any case. I've posted about her moving in with me and, despite a few bumps along the way, it's going fairly well. She is now paying rent, is...

My 24yo son was arrested 6 days ago for armed robbery. This is so unbelievable for our family. We do not understand what made him do this. He is in jail detoxing from methodone (shot heroin) and xanax and most likely going through hell. We go to visit him tomorrow for the first time. We have...

I'm brand new. My 19 year old difficult child daughter had a very rough time making it through high school bc of severe dyslexia,ADHD, anxiety, bipolar,and missing a lot of school. Graduation night was a very happy night and bright with promise. difficult child was happy and purchased a very nice computer with grad...

My oldest daughter, Calie (not her real name) is 20. She will be 21 in January. In the last 5 months she has taken mail from someones mailbox (suposedly they are still "holding" the case--but no warrant has been issued.). She burgularized 2 houses (I turned her in for this--the victims decided...

Suddenly Matt is the unhappiest I have seen him in years. Full of self loathing, hatred towards himself and others, convinced the entire world is against him, suicidal, homicidal, raging - you name it. I sat there today and listened to the ping pong balls bouncing in his brain and was...

Hi, I cant believe I found this forum, after reading some of the threads I realize I am not alone, I am a mother of 3 adult children 2 daughters ages 21, and almost 20 and an 18 year old son. My 21 year old is bi-polar and refused to take her medications once she turned 18. She has been violent with me...

difficult child 1 has been transferred from state mental hospital to jail after being found fit to stand trial on a past assault charge. My husband and I had visited him at the mental hospital and found him a little stiff, but he told us he loved and and seemed to be really trying. He had not been on medications for...

Hi all, My difficult child*/son (who was just kicked out) has a car and an interview with a grocery store on Friday and we know he is low on gas. My husband and I want to help him get on his feet but do not want to support his drug life-style nor enable him to live a life style of limping along without...

I'm beginning to think that my son may not be able to obtain and hold a "real" job due to his problems. His ADHD makes even filling out a job application properly a real challenge, and his anxiety keeps him from approaching a prospective employer in person. In his entire life, he worked...

I have a daughter who is 32. She is totally depressed, has been diagosed as having BiPolar (BP) and also I believe Borderline (BPD), but at the very least they've said a personality disorder. She has no employment and has extreme difficulty finding a job and if she does, she can't keep it. She tells me she will get...

difficult child had been experiencing weeks of good recovery from the suicide attempt and suddenly has regressed to the living nightmare of a bipolar mood swing. There is a special kind of pain for a mom from detaching, then reattaching in hopes that things are really getting better, then getting shot...

Hello, I am hoping to get some advice as I am at my wit's end and in a state of depression myself over this. I'll try to make this as short as possible. My 20 yr old became severely depressed about two years ago when he left for college. He did not do well in classes and we could all tell...

My difficult child and I have been arguing all weekend because I want her to enter a transitional program for young adults with depression. She is 25, no job, and hasn't left the house in a month, spends all her time in bed. She says I can't make her go to this residential program because she is an adult...

Hi, it's been a while since I've posted here....I really need some advice and I'll try to make this as short as I can. My difficult child 19 y/o is living in southern WA. He was having some minor problems in CA a year ago and I have relatives and friends there, so I took him up there. He's had some...

I have adult bipolar son who lived at my house until the other day after he beat up his sister. We pressed charges but once he is out he will be homeless. Im scared of him freezing to death but I have finally come to terms with I have to protect myself and daughters. Be safe...when there is...

I've been wondering about this - especially lately considering my difficult child's promiscuity, sexual confusion and infidelity. She was obsessed with boys - I am not exaggerating - since preschool. She would chase them on the playground, claim to be boyfriend/girlfriend ... to the point where teachers would mention it...