mental health/learning disability

Replies

By llizzie

Re: mental health/learning disability
Thu 31 May 2007 23:29

Why not tell us about your struggles? Even if we cannot give direct experience, it is not so very different to caring for others. I resigned from the positions in 1984, but I was a governor of quite a few special schools in this County, and although it is a long time ago and I am not that experienced, I will listen, because all of us listen to each other. There is not a person who contributes to this discussion group who is not going through the same difficulties, whoever they care fore, and all of us need help. Learning difficulties are so hard to care for and penetrate (is that the word), and even if there are none of us who care for learning disability-related people, there are always things that cross barriers between afflictions. For my part, I welcome you, and I welcome the knowledge that you can give to others of your struggles, so that we can learn from you. To care for 22 years is a wonderful thing. You must have so much to tell us.

By meg mackenzie

Re: mental health/learning disability
Fri 1 Jun 2007 09:25

Hi Solsticediva and welcome to the forum.

Lizzie is right we are all good listeners and some advice about caring goes right across the board.

I worked with mentally handicapped adults and whilst I appreciate a care home situation is completely different to life in a caring home I am sure some things are very similar.

Looking forward to seeing you post with a bit more background and hopefully we can all pitch in and give you some support.

Take care
Meg

By valley girl

Re: mental health/learning disability
Fri 1 Jun 2007 14:45

I care for my 33 year old son who has severe mental health issues.I would happily chat to you about the pressures we must surely share.I have only just joined this board myself.
Valley girl

By booglebum

Re: mental health/learning disability
Fri 1 Jun 2007 17:38

hi,

i to care for my sister whom has mental health problems so kinda know wot its like, i too struggle but pretend to thers around that everything is fine for fear of letting people down. i dont post much but visit this site alot and i can def say that the support here is great, to me just knowing that someone cares makes a great difference. i hope you get the suupport your looking for ....good luck and take care. lucy.

By solsticediva

Re: mental health/learning disability
Fri 1 Jun 2007 17:46

i too struggle i feel sad, that i can not cope with it - my son had schizo affective disorder and his learning disability he refuses to do anything at the moment - is physically bigger than me and can be very scarey i love him so much it hurts to see him in this much distress when he lashes out verbally and throws things and i feel scared- thanks already fro your comments

By Bobbie

Re: mental health/learning disability
Mon 4 Jun 2007 19:52

My 16 yr son has been diagnosed with this same disorder.He has done these same things.Trouble with the law,trouble at school,tearing up my house,going to the hospital.I know it's a lot..Sometimes I have to call the police on him.He's bigger than me so our whole family is involved with him.We actually have a crisis drill, like a plan and everyone knows their roll.That's a big help in my family.

By booglebum

Re: mental health/learning disability
Tue 5 Jun 2007 10:05

im gonna have to read up on my sis illness even though i have not been told for definate wot it is, its a case of they think or it might be which isnt much use. i have images of her smothering me and my kids i know these are extreme but i am scared of her, she told me yesterday dead people were all around me, i had to tell her not to speak like that in front of my kids. my partner said yesterday hes thinking about moving out (wots his problem , he doesnt help me, he gets waited on hand and foot still has room to moan).

bobbie- thing about the drill is a bloody good idea, i might try and get my family in on one too, thanx for that.

By Bobbie

Re: mental health/learning disability
Tue 5 Jun 2007 15:37

It's sometimes hard to pin point mental illness.Like my son doesnt have all the symptoms of schizophrenia or bipolar.He has some of both.He doesn't think he has any illness.So sometimes it's hard to get him to take his meds.He does know something ain't right.He also knows that if he doesn't take his meds,he ends up in the hospital.That right there actually makes him more agreeable to take them.We go through a lot of therapy.Doctor appts,counelors,support groups.He has a mentor who spends time with him and gets him out of the house.That helps boost his self esteem and gives him hope.Sometimes I have bad dreams about him.Sometimes I worry about him,his future.Sometimes I fear he will hurt himself or someone else.I take every precaution I can about everything.I monitor his friends,who's calling him.I search his room and belongings on a rugular basis.I have deadbolts on all my doors,An alarm in my house with a panic button,three dogs,one is a wrottweiler.All of this is really for him to feel safe.I find knives under cushions and under his matress.I take them away.I don't make a big deal to him about it.I talk to him calmly about what may have caused that fear.I just go over all the safety measures we have taken sometimes that makes him feel better.It's a hard for him being a teen and having to deal with something like this.We really all pitch in and help him and draw the line to bad attitudes,bad behavior,bad language.We no longer engage in battles with him.We love him ,support him and we let him know what behaviors are just not tolerated,and just flat out not going to happen around here.In a way that in itself gives him security.He knows no matter what we got his back.Thanks for listening.