I am seeking any advice I may be able to get, which would help us to understand and help our son, and to cope with this illness ourselves.

Our 22 year old son is suffering from manic depression with sucidial thoughts/panic attacks and anxiety/and, lack of social or interaction skills. As a brief history, he was a student in college in another town. In April the walls (in which he was able to hid given the distance) came crashing completely down upon him and he is now at home with us. He was admitted to a hospital that night but sent home with medication. He has his first appointment with a psychiatrist today to begin his long term treatment - this has taken a month to accomplish!!!

We need help to understand his behavior, how to help him, how to save him and ourselfs. We just spent the last 48 hours basically on suicide watch as he kept having "bad thoughts". We are so strained, worried, and confused.

Thank you to any and all in advance.

First Mindy, Welcome to our room, its the best place for some comfort and hugs.

I don't have any answers except to say. I've been were you are at. And its not a easy road. It sounds like you have help with this. Which is something that is imperative.

Suicide watchs are very hard on all involved. Its not something that a outsider can understand. Unless they have gone through one.

So don't be discouraged if friends and other family members don't seem
to understand.
Look for a local Nami chapter, they will have a family member chapter.
Sorry I cant remember what its called. That can help you learn to cope
with the issues.

Keep coming in and talking to us. We will listen.

Donna

Thank you, I so appreciate your reply.

We are so lost. We have gotten him to talk to us a lot, but most of it does not make sense, is not true (true to him, but not true), or is somewhat dillusional/reckless/and none logical thinking - it seems he does not know real from non-real.....how do we respond to that? What do we say? I do not feel it is healthy to "pretend" a long with him - is that wrong of me? We do not show anger or frustration, but we do sometimes have to tag team with each other as it sometimes takes a step away and a few deep breaths to continue listening when you know this person looks like him, but is not talking like the son that you raised.

I think part of it is the medication that the hospital Dr. put him on and I am praying that once we get him established with ONE stable Dr. that will improve.

Thank you for your help and your group hug - I'll take all you have to offer!

Its not important whether you go along with him. Or just listen to what
he has to say and believe what he says.

Its just important that you listen and try to keep him safe.

Tag teaming is a good idea. That way you can take a break and also
be there together to hear what is going on.

Also I would keep a diary of what all he is saying. So the doctor has
a clue what is going on. THis will help when it comes to the medications.

Donna

welcome to the forums.
If you don't mind sharing what meds is he taking?
He really needs to be on an antipsychotic medication if he is delusional...this will take a bit of time to get into his system but not that long. usually they might start on at a higher dose, this might make him sleepy which is a good thing to help let his mind "stop" and let him recover from the psychosis.
He is in a very critical state right now. I really feel for your family glad that you have help to care for him.
Get as much support as you can, perhaps you can find a local support group, call nami like donna said. or even the hospital or psych unit they should have that info for you.
Are you giving him his meds are they in a locked container? if he is suicidal then these pose a risk to him too.
keep posting and let us know how we can help.

(((((((HUGS)))))))
bizi

When I had my first psychotic break down every thing that I was saying seemed so real. I really believed what I was thinking. but it wasn't real. I was put on haldol to begin with and that brought me down to a functioning place but for a short time they let me out too soon...and I wound up back at the hospital for more medication adjustments. IT was very difficult to go back there they literally drug me there. When I was first put in..my husband had to call the police as I was so manic they had to hand cuff me and take me away.
It is very traumatic.
Know that he can be readmitted if he becomes too much to handle that is an option for you.
I really feel for you keep posting, we are here listening and offering up advice as we best can. Know that we are just lay people and not professionals here so can only offer our insight from personal experiences.
bizi
((((HUGS)))))

Thank you both --- just having someone to talk to is of comfort.

The only drug that I can think of right now by not having them in front of me is Clonaszepam, and Ritalin - there is one more, but none of them have been subscribed by the Dr. who is taking charge today - they are not working and seem to be making him worse.

His medicine is being controlled by us at this time - we cannot trust him. Also, we have taken precaution with any/everything we can think of that could harm him in our home - but the possibilities seem endless when you really think about it. We also keep his car keys, and all of ours, in our possession throughout the night hours so that he cannot get into a vehicle and leave - perhaps it sounds cruel, but he is not in the right mental state to be out and alone right now. We do not like pets in the house either, but have made exception in allowing his dog to stay in with him as it seems to give him some calming effects.

The first real Dr. appt in in 45 minutes and although we will not be in with him, I am hoping we will gain some more insight today....

Thank you guys so much again, I am glad I found this forum!

HI,
Ask him to let you attend his appointments.
Also ask for a signed release to be able to talk to his caregivers.

I hope the psychiatrist (pdoc) tapers him off ritalin. That medication is used after the person is relatively stable.

Get copies of Bipolar for Dummies for him and you and your husband.
http://www.amazon.com/Bipolar-Disord.../dp/0764584510
It explains much of what you need to know.

The next time you feel that you are doing a "watch" you need to call 911 or drive him to an ER so that he can be evaluated by a psychiatrist who can decide to admit him.
Family member are not trained in those matters.

Some times this organization can help family members: www.nami.org

The psychiatrist can help with the delusional thinking. For now, do not push him to face what is real and what is not real. It is not your job do that. More importantly, it is greatly upsetting to him. Find ways to keep him calm.
Keep stimuli low.

Does he have siblings in the house? Keep them safe while he is going through medication adjustments.

M

Hi,
Did an idiot doctor put him on an anti-depressant? That could explain why he is getting worse.

I am sorry that you and your family are going through this.
Your son can get better with the right treatment.

M

Hoping your son's appt went well. And just remember that even
if you take him to a ER or other place. It doesn't mean they will
admit him. I ran into this with my adult son's, so you are doing
the best you can.

Even in suicide watchs sometimes these kids can seem okay.
At least mine did. Luckily they were and we got them through.

So you will too.

Donna