T
totally drained
Guest
I don't even know where to start. My 10 year old was diagnosed with Mood Disorder and very slight ADHD. My soon to be 7 year old was diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder, ADHD and Mood Disorder.
I am so drained. My son (10) is on medication for the Mood Disorder (low dose) and seems to be handling it well. He is no longer suicidal or manic. He still has times when he gets upset quickly and/or cries for minor issues, but he seems balanced.
The source of my exhaustion is my daughter. I almost do not even have the energy to vent. She is a constant struggle. Every day is a battle to discipline her. It lasts ALL DAY. When she wakes up, she's good for 30 minutes and then the defiance kicks into overdrive. It is continual, draining, frustrating. It lasts until she closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep.
I have tried counseling, though not consistent like it should be. I've had several tell me that she needs to be on medication. This scares me. She is so young; her brain still not fully developed. I have heard of so many children her age dying from medication used to treat ADHD and Mood Disorder. I am at a complete loss.
I have read so many articles, portions of books, etc. regarding how to parent a child with these diagnoses and feel completely overwhelmed. I keep praying that God will grant me peace as He has done in the past. Peace and wisdom to know how to treat my daughter. Fear creeps in. Fear for her future, how she will turn out, what addictions she will turn to (just as my husband did when he was younger and diagnosed with Bipolar). Fear of not parenting her as best I should. I know that I fall extremely short right now. I am completely drained. My emotional level is below the requirement for daily function. My physical energy "gas tank" is bone dry.
Lord, help me to find other parents who can relate and encourage me in this journey. I need this more than the false guilt I feel.
I am so drained. My son (10) is on medication for the Mood Disorder (low dose) and seems to be handling it well. He is no longer suicidal or manic. He still has times when he gets upset quickly and/or cries for minor issues, but he seems balanced.
The source of my exhaustion is my daughter. I almost do not even have the energy to vent. She is a constant struggle. Every day is a battle to discipline her. It lasts ALL DAY. When she wakes up, she's good for 30 minutes and then the defiance kicks into overdrive. It is continual, draining, frustrating. It lasts until she closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep.
I have tried counseling, though not consistent like it should be. I've had several tell me that she needs to be on medication. This scares me. She is so young; her brain still not fully developed. I have heard of so many children her age dying from medication used to treat ADHD and Mood Disorder. I am at a complete loss.
I have read so many articles, portions of books, etc. regarding how to parent a child with these diagnoses and feel completely overwhelmed. I keep praying that God will grant me peace as He has done in the past. Peace and wisdom to know how to treat my daughter. Fear creeps in. Fear for her future, how she will turn out, what addictions she will turn to (just as my husband did when he was younger and diagnosed with Bipolar). Fear of not parenting her as best I should. I know that I fall extremely short right now. I am completely drained. My emotional level is below the requirement for daily function. My physical energy "gas tank" is bone dry.
Lord, help me to find other parents who can relate and encourage me in this journey. I need this more than the false guilt I feel.