Posted 5/31/2015 8:01 PM (GMT -5)
To all my friends here,
This past couple months have been a trying time for me and my family. For me it has been overcoming one physical ailment after another as well as dealing with my usual pain and then the psychological trauma that I was and still am suffering from.
about 2 weeks ago I received a devastating call, my only son had tried to take his life again and didn't want to live anymore. He has been struggling with depression on and off for over a year and a half resulting from the sudden abandonment of his wife. He was heartbroken and as time went by he could not accept the fact that his wife would not be returning. He has been under the care of a pysch doctor and a therapist but, a person can only be helped if they want the help as he did not.
I nearly suffered a nervous breakdown because so many things have happened in my life in the past year that this was sort of say the final straw to send me over the top.
My son is better now, he is getting outpatient therapy and says he has accepted what has happened and is going to move on. Yes, I am scared because this very thing happened last year as well, the suicide attempt. One thing I do have to say about our mental health system in our country - it is deplorable! Once a patient is committed or admitted for suicidal ideations, they can only be held for a short period of time. They receive NO inpatient counseling or therapy, they are held for stabilization, medicated and once they verbalized to the doctors that there are not a threat to themselves or others (whether they lie or not), they are released. It is from then on that they are referred for o/p therapy and counseling.
I asked he doctor specifically, so a patient that is mentally ill and has faked his way out of the hospital is then just released to do whatever to themselves and others without any kind of forceful intervention - he said yes! It just makes me sick!!!!!!! I do so feel sorry for all the people roaming the streets of our society mentally ill because they are put out there to fend for themselves.
Anyway, I am taking one day at a time now in trying to recuperate from all this. I am seeing a psychologist with my hubby which is very helpful. My body is completely worn down, I am trying very hard to eat properly amidst having no appetite at all, my joints are very painful, no energy, etc. I am also dealing with nightmares pretty much every night, waking up every 2 hours, so rest is a whole other issue. I know this will take time.
I want to thank all of you for all your prayers and healing thoughts. It means a lot to me to have everyone here. I have been reading the many posts and updates from all of you so that I can refresh what has been happening with each of you.
I especially want to thank Susie for letting all of you know of my situation as I was unable to come on the forum and for my need of prayers - she has been an angel!
Big Hugs from Texas,
Pam