In this podcast episode James Lumumba and I discuss mental illness and addiction in teens/young adults and my story with my son.
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2242pedOY3lYWDk31CDvkG?si=eec3b453514a4f39
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Life does not always give us what we are expecting and can bring many challenges that make us question our ability to handle the pain. When Debbie’s oldest son, Alex, was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at age seventeen after being hospitalized for nearly a month and then became addicted to drugs and alcohol, she wasn’t prepared for how to deal with what she would be up against over the next nine years and the fear, anxiety, and grief she would experience. read more
When your child has mental illness or addiction, you may feel there is no other way than to feel in a constant state of stress.
Maybe you have even become accustomed to it and so this state feels very familiar.
Stress can be very damaging to your own health.
And it can create an emotional and physical prison when it becomes consuming.
While you don’t have control over your child’s illness or addiction, you do have control over the decisions you make to take care of yourself.
While it may feel like you need to focus all your energy on your child, it is important to remember to make sure you are taking good care of you.
Self care should be a priority because you need this to be able to manage your stress and to be your best self.
And you need this in order to support your child.
It can pave the way to setting a new pattern.
Start with setting up a self care routine you can count on. This can mean taking some time in the morning and again in the evening to do something that helps you emotionally, physically, spiritually or any combination.
Make it a habit so that you know it will happen daily. Schedule it on your calendar if you need to. Whatever you need to do to ensure you will take care of you.
Some of the things that I do are:
Morning – celery juice, smoothie, meditation, journaling
Evening – writing my book or reading, meditation, prayer
Having a daily routine can also provide a sense of structure and certainty in the midst of so much uncertainty.
I would love to know what you will do to take care of you
Sending love and light,
Debbie
