http://psychcentral.com/blog/archive...covery-guides/

There is a download PDF file link located at the bottom of this article.....very good! and helpful for families as well.
bizi

bizi - maybe this is fate, but I just came down from my daughter's room in tears because I am at a loss to help her realize that she is going to have to accept her life as it is now, and if she wants it to improve, she is going to have to make some changes within herself!! I honestly have done all I know how, and even my husband, with his Masters degree in Psychology, can't figure out how to help her SEE that!

We love her so, but I can only devote just so much of my days (what's left of them after work, etc) to her, and that she needs to WORK at making positive changes!! I haven't read much of it, but have decided to print out all 60 pages of that one link you listed, hoping I can glean some tips from there.

Thanks for your continued support and help to all of us here. Ya' know we luv ya'

Hugs, Jacquie

Thanks, Bizi. I've added it to my Bi-polar bookmarks: http://public.murl.com/moose53/HEALT...NIC_DEPRESSION


Jacquie,

I know how hard it is to have a child with psychiatric "disorders". I know the other side of too -- BEING the person with the psychiatric "disorder".

I've told you that your gut instincts are very good. "Standing back" <<-- that was one of the things that I learned when I was trying to "fix" my son. I took him to a therapist who said that he wanted to show me something. Therapist told me to not talk for awhile. We sat and sat and sat. And my son said nothing. It finally dawned on me that as much as I wanted to help my son avoid all the pain and suffering that I had been through, I couldn't. He had to choose when he was ready to do something about a situation that he didn't like. He had to choose when to "fix things".

I know how painful that is to realize. And I know how hard it is to step back and do nothing and watch everything go to hell until the child/adult is ready to do something about it.

One of the things that helped me LIVE WITH my history of sucide and depression was to study and learn everything that I could about it. A Rabbi once told me that you study that that you fear the most. If you really know and understand what you're most afraid of, it can't hurt you -- sort of like turning on the lights in a dark room.

Have you ever suggested to your daughter that she study becoming a therapist?? She might not realize it now, but, she's got unique talents and a perspective that would bring real help to others in trouble.

Jacquie, you know my son's in prison for his temper (major road-rage episode). He'll get out in a year. He's thanked many times over the past ten years for sticking by him and being there for him. That validates what I've done in the past.

I hope you get the same kind of validation from your daughter.

Hugs (and love). Don't forget her Dad too. He really understands what she's facing.

Barb

Dearest Barb - thank you for trying to drum into my head (again ) that I need to STEP BACK and let things take their course , and see what Andrea does on her own. I KNOW that's what I have to do, but that's been the hardest thing I've ever had to do....still working on it.... . Things seem to be moving in the right direction, she's compliant w/ her meds, etc, but now it's up to her to decide what to do next - or not do. She is so very lonely, and none of her past 'friends' are worth a damn, and won't even take her calls. That has to hurt, I know it does, she is miserable about that....

God Bless you for all of your warmth, care and advice.

I wish I had more time to discuss things with you. I woulld really like to, and I will try to e-mail you sometime....

Hugs back, Jacquie

Barb

Thanks for posting this Bizi!

As for the other things brought up, I am a daughter with BP II and my mother said once I got on the right med she got her daughter back. It can happen if things fall into place. I too know it from the other side as my son is autistic and I have to stand back and NOT do everything for him since I want him to grow and develop as a little person.

It's not easy being a daughter with problems and having a sweet child with problems, but I believe help IS out there if you look for it in the right places. It sure sounds like she's doing the right things though Jacquie. I don't keep up with any of my old friends and that's mostly because they weren't really good friends.

I have ONE close friend I can talk to and that's it. But having her, my DH and my mother are enough for me.

bump for mark