My question is for myself. Both of my kids were diagnosed with Crohn's last year. Within, about 4 months of each other. One much worse than the other. They are both doing much better now but i am still experiencing bouts of anxiety, depression and the ever popular mother's guilt. I'm also having trouble concentrating, remembering things and finishing sentences. Have any of you experienced this? I expected it to go away, now that the kids are feeling better but it's not. I wonder if i need to go on some kind of an anti-depressant. Is there someone who could provide some words of encouragement and wisdom?
Anxiety and depression
- Thread starter Gi-jo-mom
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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Before you go with meds
You might want to find a therapist to talk to
Grief ( dealing with a chronic illness is the same)
Has five stages
Dealing with one kid dx is very hard
Two is even harder
Both within a year
It may take time but talking to a therapist is always a good idea
If after talking and cognitive behavioral therapy have been known to be very effective for anxiety and depression
If needed then meds can be added later as a combo
The first year is the hardest
Most around hear "talk" and vent to each other which really helps
As does time
:hug:
You might want to find a therapist to talk to
Grief ( dealing with a chronic illness is the same)
Has five stages
Dealing with one kid dx is very hard
Two is even harder
Both within a year
It may take time but talking to a therapist is always a good idea
If after talking and cognitive behavioral therapy have been known to be very effective for anxiety and depression
If needed then meds can be added later as a combo
The first year is the hardest
Most around hear "talk" and vent to each other which really helps
As does time
:hug:
Thank you. I have been thinking about seeing a therapist. It's kinda scary. I feel like i will be opening up a big can of worms and will be complete mess. I just need to make myself do it.
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Big hugs to you--you've been through a lot! I agree with trying to find a therapist. If you can, try to make sure you're getting enough sleep too. When you have sick kids (and especially kids in the hospital), it seems like you're always sleep deprived, and that just makes it so hard to feel positive and mentally sharp. :ghug:
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I agree with the therapist suggestion. It's so tough. Try and take some time for yourself to relax - meet a friend, go out for coffee, watch some TV - anything to get your mind of your kids.
I also have two kids that are sick. It is so hard, especially when they're both flaring at once! Sending hugs :ghug:.
I also have two kids that are sick. It is so hard, especially when they're both flaring at once! Sending hugs :ghug:.
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Gi-jo-mom,
I'm sorry. You are carrying a heavy load. I think we as moms get so focused on caring for our children, helping them deal with a chronic disease, that we don't take time to process and deal with it properly ourselves. It piles up and then boom, we sort of hit a point where we don't know what to do. I only have one crohns child and one who needs to be tested (and a few other health issues with the others), and there are times when I am just fried. Ever wanted to wake up and learn it is all a dream and you are back to your old life?? Want to find a way to make it all go away? I have and do.
Find a therapist who can help you process this. Maybe they will offer a 2 for 1 special and I'll come with you!
Hang in there. I hope both of your babies get on a path to remission, fast.
I'm sorry. You are carrying a heavy load. I think we as moms get so focused on caring for our children, helping them deal with a chronic disease, that we don't take time to process and deal with it properly ourselves. It piles up and then boom, we sort of hit a point where we don't know what to do. I only have one crohns child and one who needs to be tested (and a few other health issues with the others), and there are times when I am just fried. Ever wanted to wake up and learn it is all a dream and you are back to your old life?? Want to find a way to make it all go away? I have and do.
Find a therapist who can help you process this. Maybe they will offer a 2 for 1 special and I'll come with you!
Hang in there. I hope both of your babies get on a path to remission, fast.
Really sorry to hear about both of your kids...it's overwhelming with one kid being diagnosed!
I was an absolute mess with my son! I have never been a worrier or a nervous person, but I had tons of anxiety and tons of guilt that it took years to get him feeling better & although I knew something was wrong (the dr didn't agree & after several visits told me I was just looking for a problem:ywow
but I didn't get him the help he needed sooner. I remember i could feel a vibration in my chest I was so nervous all the time.
BUT, let me tell you it does get better (I never thought it would) It may take some time (and I'm sure things will get sorted out much faster for your kids than mine) your life will get back to normal...it may be a new normal but when your kids get on the upswing you will too!
I was an absolute mess with my son! I have never been a worrier or a nervous person, but I had tons of anxiety and tons of guilt that it took years to get him feeling better & although I knew something was wrong (the dr didn't agree & after several visits told me I was just looking for a problem:ywow
but I didn't get him the help he needed sooner. I remember i could feel a vibration in my chest I was so nervous all the time.BUT, let me tell you it does get better (I never thought it would) It may take some time (and I'm sure things will get sorted out much faster for your kids than mine) your life will get back to normal...it may be a new normal but when your kids get on the upswing you will too!
fuzzy butterfly
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Hi i agree with all the above's, but maybe you could also try a calming herbal tea like chamomile ,to help ease the stress levels. Best wishes to you and your children :hug:
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This forum and the members here were a lifesaver for me. It's essential that you have the opportunity to talk out your worries, whether here, with a therapist or both! As was said above, it does get better but does take time to come to terms with the acceptance that your children have a chronic illness. I remember how overwhelming it was with one child being diagnosed, I can only imagine how tough to have a second diagnosed so soon after. :ghug:
Don't hesitate to voice concerns here... those worries in the back of your mind can just grow and grow until they're huge! Talk about it here and, likely, someone has dealt with the same worry. It will ease your mind and heart.
And, while you're on pins and needles for the first year or so, as your children continue to do well, the anxiety will slowly lessen and, one day, you'll find you've settled into your new normal life. It may not be exactly the same as before but, it'll be good. There's a very good chance most of your worries about the future, won't come to pass. :hug:
While it may seem counterproductive to some, I found learning as much as possible about crohns, helped me deal with it. A friend whose daughter also has crohns can't understand why I'd want to know 'everything' and says she'd rather just go along on a 'need to know' basis BUT, for me, it helped me gain some control. If I knew what could come, I'd also know what could be done to prevent and/or treat it and it alleviated my worries of the unknown. I think I also realized that my mind was going to be on crohns no matter what I tried to do, so decided I may as well use that 'focus' productively!
But, really, the best help was talking about it with others who understood and allowing time to pass.
:ghug:
Don't hesitate to voice concerns here... those worries in the back of your mind can just grow and grow until they're huge! Talk about it here and, likely, someone has dealt with the same worry. It will ease your mind and heart.
And, while you're on pins and needles for the first year or so, as your children continue to do well, the anxiety will slowly lessen and, one day, you'll find you've settled into your new normal life. It may not be exactly the same as before but, it'll be good. There's a very good chance most of your worries about the future, won't come to pass. :hug:
While it may seem counterproductive to some, I found learning as much as possible about crohns, helped me deal with it. A friend whose daughter also has crohns can't understand why I'd want to know 'everything' and says she'd rather just go along on a 'need to know' basis
BUT, for me, it helped me gain some control. If I knew what could come, I'd also know what could be done to prevent and/or treat it and it alleviated my worries of the unknown. I think I also realized that my mind was going to be on crohns no matter what I tried to do, so decided I may as well use that 'focus' productively! But, really, the best help was talking about it with others who understood and allowing time to pass.
:ghug:
