Go to Dealing with Mental Illness
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- Go to My husband and I made a decision.
My heart goes out to you...this is the second time I've visited your post..
I think you are doing the right thing by insisting that your daughters move out on their own. You mention in your last comment that they have not had any therapy in dealing with their mental illness. I'm sure you have a good reason for this. But, in my own experience I have found that using medication combined with therapy really helped in coping with life in general. I have manic depression, which is a medical condition though often termed a mental illness. When I was younger, as a teen and in my twenties, I exhibited behavior much like you describe in relation to your daughters. And even later in life have dealt with paranoia during manic and/or depressive episodes. Please know that I offer this advice in a gentle and loving way...in no way am I attached to its outcome. Best of luck.
posted by
redlunar
on November 22, 2004 at 7:25 AM
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Dear Anna,
My daughters act as they do because 1. They suffer from a mental illness which causes them to have delusions and paranoia. 2. Because it has been such a struggle for them, to keep awake, keep focused, and deal with their emotions, my husband and I have no focused on insisting that they grow up, the way we did their brother. 3. All of their mental health treatment has focused on the paranoia, mood swings and delusions. There has been no therapy to help them cope with life. 4. They have been going to school whenever they can with the ambition of having professional careers. Going to school requires all of the energy. 5. There is a huge stigma against the mentally ill.
Although your behavior and theirs may be similar, the causes are probably different. Finding the cause in their case will not eliminate the problem. The solution is to work on the solution, not to find out the problem. In their case, they need to grow up. All of my friends and those who know them, have told me that it is a great idea.
posted by
Make2short
on November 22, 2004 at 6:16 AM
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Learned behaviors...
WHere did your girls LEARN to behave the way they do? Your girls seem to be acting like I did as a teen...but there WAS A REASON why I acted the way I did...noone ever bothered to ask what it was.
posted by
SincerityAnna
on November 21, 2004 at 8:52 AM
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Absolutely great news!
I took the same course myself not too long ago. While it was a difficult, difficult decision, it made my life somewhat better. It will never be perfect, but it is better. Let me know how it all turns out. I do care.
posted by
KlaraRoberts
on November 18, 2004 at 11:44 AM
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Good luck to you
This can not be an easy time for you. I have found that a job helps you get back into reality quickly. At some point, everyone needs a little counseling. I just wrote an article about creativity and mental illness.
Creativity and Mental Illness
http://www.wincyclopedia.com/creativityandmentalillness.php
posted by
Sherri_G
on November 17, 2004 at 8:40 PM
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