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nancyannee
03-17-2009, 10:17 AM
Hello. I am a 41 year old mother and grandmother. I have been diagnosed with rapid-cycling bipolarII with psychosis.

I sought out help over a year ago, got into therapy, got on meds...the whole nine yards. I missed 2 appointments and was released from my doctor about 5 months ago. asking for help was a MAJOR thing. I DON"T venture out. I don't have friends. I don't go to the doctor. I deal with this all alone. It is very hard to hang on anymore.

I was adopted into a family of 4 boys when I was an infant. My mother adopted me to replace an infant girl that died nine months earlier...I was told...you were wanted by us we picked you out...I heard...you were given up. your birth mother did not want you....I never remember being told. I just always seemed to know. I always felt alone and separate from them. My earliest memories are all gone. My memories began when I was 13.

When I was 10 I was attacked in the woods by several neighborhood bullies. I suppressed these memories until my early 20's. When the some of the memories came back along with them came the visions, hallucinations(both auditory and olfactory) strange thoughts and beliefs. I never told anyone the truth. My family(parents and siblings) just call me "crazy" and wrote me off. My husband and children know without a doubt I have mental illness issues, but refuse to admit I need professional treatment. They did not like what the meds did to my personality.....although they did help with some of my problems.

I currently take care of my elderly Mother and disabled husband. Neither of which thinks I need to go to another doctor. I am so tired of feeling watched all the time. The feeling of being hunted never leaves me. I rarely watch TV because I am sick of the feeling it is directed to me. Logically I know it is not....but I FEEL like it is talking to me. I believe the government is tracking me and monitoring my progress. And yes, I do believe that aliens from other planets exist and monitor us as well...

The last time I sought out help, I walked into my local ER and just asked...it was not that bad. I sat in the ER for 13 hours and finally I was admitted to an inpatient facility for four days and placed on meds. I was not honest about all my symptoms. I know I need professional help. I am getting the courage up. I just hope it does not come too late. I understand and believe that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I would never end my own life. However, it is all I can think about. the intrusive thoughts are so overwhelming I am scared that I will start to believe it is the only answer.

mscat
03-17-2009, 01:00 PM
Hi there and welcome to our community. You have gone through so much. i am very glad you could share with us your painful story. i am very sorry you had to experience all of that. You are a survivor. Do not forget that!
I tend to try and stay indoors as well too. it feels safer that way. After all you have been through it is totally understandable ! You have a lot on your plate , and a caregiver. Taking care of two disabled people, and yourself must take a enormous burden upon yourself.
I really hope you can at least go back into therapy. With the diagnoses that you have been given, you really ought to be on medication too. This will help with the moods , and depression you must be feeling all the time. However, I am thinking that you may keep yourself very busy caring for others. Other then yourself. but, when you sit down, or are alone it hits you? Your only 41, actually, I will be your age this yr. And i have a 15yr old, high functioning autistic son. AND i have a few mental health issues going on myself. what i can say to you is that your not alone!
Not the same issues, of course not, however, I was an abused child, taken away from parents, and siblings, placed in foster care, and all that. But, that is my story. However, was sexually assulated in High School at High School . Although we have different stuff that happened , I assure you , I can relate to a lot of what you have written.
I'll support you in any way that I can, and I'd like to tell you that you are not alone in how you are feeling.

nancyannee
03-17-2009, 04:47 PM
thank you mscat. although we don't have the same issues, we certainly share the pain involved. I also have a 15yr ADHD daughter, 21 yr old ADD daughter who has a beautiful 3 year old. I find myself caring for everyone except myself.

you are so right...when the quiet of the night hits and everyone is in bed the silence is deafening. it has been so long since I cared for myself I don't know where to begin. I know I need to reach out for a doctors care...it is just easier to stay shut in. I have worked hard over the years to hide my symptoms. I had several years where I was actually able to work and attend school. The people that know me tell me....but you are sooo smart...you could do anything.

the sad thing is. they don't know me. I am crippled with this illness and it is eating me alive. Being articulate and knowing how to wear so many masks is really only a hindrance. the doctors I talked to in the past, tell me I have managed this long, I should be able to manage in the future. with meds...i understand that, i just don't do it.

It really helps to know I am not alone. thank you for replying mscat. I get terrible anxiety over putting myself out here...I worry over every little thing....

finding my way
03-17-2009, 05:22 PM
Hi nancyannee, you are welcome here. I am way sensitive too!!!:( Is there a chance for you to find a better therapist? We can help you to brave being more forthcoming with your therapist to say what is really going on. Others here have suffered from clamming up and not getting the help they need. A psychologist is what you need for the counseling. A psychiatrist will mainly just want to manage your medication. Hope that option is open for you.

nancyannee
03-17-2009, 06:55 PM
thanks finding my way.... I was going to a psychologist for therapy and also to a psychiatrist for my meds. everything was going good, until I let my habits of losing time get a hold of me. I even warned him of my inability to focus and manage my time. He "assured" me they would work with me. NOT... I have state medicaid and I know he has guidelines to follow but he cut me NO SLACK.

Hopefully I will find the courage to get out there again.

mscat
03-17-2009, 09:54 PM
I am sorry that happened to you with that therapist. I hope that you can find a really good therapist when you are ready that will understand you and work with you better. That is what they are suppose to do. Haveing the support , and someone to talk to really is extremely benifical!

nancyannee
03-18-2009, 03:48 PM
thank you for your support mscat. it really means alot.

nancyannee
03-21-2009, 08:15 AM
I know many people are suffering the economy. my family no exception. we have a wonderful landlord who has been working with us and without his help and understanding my family would be homeless.

It is a daily struggle to have enough money to make ends meet. one of my biggest stressors is worrying about bills, food and gas for the car. I stay at home to take care of my mother, but I really should be working somewhere. kinda hard to do when I can't go into public without freaking out.

We are having to move into another house my landlord owns. It is cheaper by 300.00 a month on the rent. It is in the worst section of town, and I never thought I would find myself living there.

I choose to focus on the bright side....the house is bigger, the rent is cheaper, and he is going to put in new carpet, new fixtures and paint. Thank the Lord for him.

finding my way
03-21-2009, 12:39 PM
nancyannee I hope you get a reply from Mark on posting in the threads. It is all new to us, this procedure. I tried to add to your reputation, but since I'd already done it, the system won't let me add more.

I live in a rough part of town. Got broken into 2 summers ago. It sounds worse than it actually is (rich people get robbed too). I hope your new area has a plus side to it like mine: my neighbor brings over homemade soup quite often.:)

nancyannee
03-21-2009, 02:02 PM
thanks finding my way... i will keep checking back to see if I can gain access to the other areas....

I am going to just be thankful we will have a roof over our heads. alot of people are not so lucky....:)