adult children "nutty grandmother"

[jenreg]

There are a few problems that come up among adult children of mine…Some involve the way I relate to grandchildren, some involve their (adults) manner of relating to each other. We had a gathering over the last few days and I feel absolutely drained from the emotionally charged atmosphere that surrounded me at times. About a month ago, I visited the doctor and received a medication to help with anxiety…(can’t say it really helps).
I am considering visiting my doctor again and discussing these issues with her…but I wonder if it would be better to forgo the medications and pray more…I am feeling very down right now…and do not want this feeling to overpower me…There is no way for me to resolve the issues between two of my children…other than pray for them…What do you think I should do for myself?

 

[chewchoo]

There are a few problems that come up among adult children of mine…Some involve the way I relate to grandchildren, some involve their (adults) manner of relating to each other. We had a gathering over the last few days and I feel absolutely drained from the emotionally charged atmosphere that surrounded me at times. About a month ago, I visited the doctor and received a medication to help with anxiety…(can’t say it really helps).
I am considering visiting my doctor again and discussing these issues with her…but I wonder if it would be better to forgo the medications and pray more…I am feeling very down right now…and do not want this feeling to overpower me…There is no way for me to resolve the issues between two of my children…other than pray for them…What do you think I should do for myself?

definitely pray, but don’t forget to breath properly. i know when i get stressed i get a tightness in my chest. deep breathing can help somewhat.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

I feel for you, truly. We are raising our granddaughters, and working on adopting them. After their mother, our own daughter, stopped coming to our house and actually instigated signing the consent papers, my blood pressure actually dropped to the point where it is within normal range. They all lived with us at one point, and it was misery!

There is nothing in Church doctrine against taking anxiety drugs. But I understand about not wanting to take them on a daily basis.

I can’t tell you what to do. You are the best judge of that. If you are uncomfortable with the current meds your doctor gave you, perhaps you can discuss something that you only need when the kids cause stress in your life. I was prescribed a small dose of valium that I could take right before anxiety, or in the process of the anxiety. It didn’t alter me to the point where I couldn’t drive, and 10 mintues after taking it, my problems seemed so small and managable!

 

[1ke]

Don’t go off your medication without consulting your doctor. While you should certainly pray, do not think you can just “pray away” a medical problem. You may go into a worse depression if you stop your medications. Please seek advice from your physician and your priest.

 

[Convert_in_99]

There are a few problems that come up among adult children of mine…Some involve the way I relate to grandchildren, some involve their (adults) manner of relating to each other. We had a gathering over the last few days and I feel absolutely drained from the emotionally charged atmosphere that surrounded me at times. About a month ago, I visited the doctor and received a medication to help with anxiety…(can’t say it really helps).
I am considering visiting my doctor again and discussing these issues with her…but I wonder if it would be better to forgo the medications and pray more…I am feeling very down right now…and do not want this feeling to overpower me…There is no way for me to resolve the issues between two of my children…other than pray for them…What do you think I should do for myself?

**First and foremost I hope you were not refering to yourself as “nutty.” Having mental troubles or illness does NOT make you “nutty.” I am very sorry if anyone has made you feel like you deserve this title. **

As for the doctor/medication, I would ask your doctor if you can try another medication. It is true (and I happen to be one of the unlucky…yes UNlucky persons that always reacts negatively to these medications. I was even hospitalized for one of them.) But, that was the last one I tried, and I tried so many of them.

Many of them just made me so tired I couldn’t even stay awake, drive, or function. Some of them made me jittery and restless. Some of them made me dizzy, naseous and sick. But, most of them did help my anxiety, depression or mood, and that is what the medications are supposed to do. And, I was so depressed and anxious for a time I continued to take them, despite all the unplesant side effects. It wasn’t until the hospital, that we realized I shouldn’t be trying anything new. Some people just cannot take these medications. But, I really tried to be one that could take them, as I know they help so many people for the better.

**I would try a new kind that your doctor reccomends. Tell him/her of all the unplesant side effects, or that it is not working very well. They will know what to do. **

Also, maybe try going to a priest/pastor in conjunction with a psychologist or a trusted counselor in addition to the medication. A medication only works to help correct an inbalance of chemicals in your body. Which many anxious or depressed individuals have. However, medications do not relieve the deep down hurts and anxieties caused by emotional trauma, all the hurts, pain, loss, change, etc.

**I would make an apointment to see a priest/minister and talk over what’s really troubling you deep down. Also, I would continue with the physician, and keep taking the reccomended medications. Maybe the priest/minister knows of a good counselor or a psychologist that you could speak with in addition to them. **

**You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please PM me if you ever need anything more. I have been through this so often in my life. I understand how difficult it can be at times. :console: **

 

[puzzleannie]

since you would ask I would keep seeing the doctor as long as I felt I was having a problem that needs medical treatment, give the medication prescribed a fair chance to work–most take 6 weeks or more to show results–and not apologize for having any illness of any type that requires treatment. I would not take on the problems my adult children are having and take ownership of them or assume any blame for them. Nor would I take part in any of their conflicts and problems, but back off, wait until my advice is specifically called for, give my advice tersely, concisely and charitably. Then shut up. (I am not say that is what I have done this summer in extended visit with adult children, siblings and others, only what I should have done).