Don't feel alone- I feel like this very often. I have felt more depressed this past year since my son's diagnoses than ever in my life. It is so hard sometimes; you are not alone! Just remember that is why we are here- we understand when no one else can.
You may want to consider talking to your medical doctor about it- it may be depression. I started Effexor last summer and it helps me out so much. I still have bad days and moments that I still feel overwhlemed, but I talk to friends and family, take my medicine, and send my son to grandma's house when I need a break. Hang in there- come here often, and take care of you!
Thanks all. I appreciate your support.I have limited support from family. But have a great team of doctors and teachers. I can honestly say it's not easy. I don't have childcare options for my son Alex which taking care of him is exhausting. He's serevely aggressive towards others and himself that I'm constantly keeping him safe as well as anyone near him. He maybe 8 years old but mentally he is 12 months old.
My son Aidan is quite the handful as well. I'm starting to homeschool this next school year because public school just isn't working out for him. Every year it seem that Aidan and Alex continue to only get worse. But I believe that God had a reason, there is a reason for everything. And apparently I'm the best person for job he has given me. One day maybe I'll figure out why, why me? But I don't ever feel sorry my self. I was blessed with 4 wonderful little angels, no matter how hard life may seem at the moment. Just take some deep breathe and do the best that you can. Lacey
Thank you so much shelley. Your Sarah is just a beautiful little girl, her smile is quite contagious.Thank you Lacey. Thank you so much.Yes, I feel that way alot especially in the summer as that is my son's worst time. The thing with him is just when I feel my lowest he will start to do better and my hope will raise again. It is a circle.
zayzer, that is how it here too, a circle.Good luck, I hope it gets better for all our kids and us soon.
Looks like my post got lost?? I just wanted to say you are not alone and we are here for you. I make lists for the big stuff...crash when I need to and recharge for the next day.
I am also on meds for daytime and night..drink lots of coffee and post often. I try to find fun things she likes to do or she gets bored very easy..so we do pinatas, wrap presents for no reason..library, petstore and park are all free:) We have a swimming park with slides and lazy river ect..for bucks so we do that at least once a week:) I get dh to take over sometimes and he will take her and older dd to a movie then I go to the super thrift store down the street and spend hours there:) Color your hair, paint your nails..get a haircut or just a nice hot bath is a luxury. I light candles every single night and ebay to my hearts content when I have the time..Best of luck & find comfort in the fact they are doing well and are healthy beautiful boys:)
Blessings,
You are certainly not alone. However, as an older mom of a PDD-NOS 16yo, I've come to learn that I MUST take care of myself. These are PRIORITIES. We parents MUST find time to do these things or we will physically and mentally burn out:
1. Get 8 hours of sleep. You will do more the next day to make up for the extra time sleeping. Sleep deprivation only causes us to be inefficient and waste time when we're so tired. So investing an extra hour or two per night sleeping well pays off.
2. Drink 8 glasses of water each day. Other liquids don't count. Water is absorbed into your body far better than any other liquid. And dehydration will make you lack energy and become discombobulated.
3. Exercise. Put it on your calendar, but get lots of exercise. Your kids could use it, too, so try to include them. The more you exercise, the more energy you will have. Trust me. I'm 57 and have the energy of someone 20 years younger and I attribute that to the fact that I go to Jazzercise twice a week and am pretty physically active otherwise. Use it or lose it. What's more, exercise is GREAT for the emotions.
4. Do something for yourself. If you don't invest in yourself, you'll burn out for your kids.
If it seems as though it's impossible to do the above, I'd suggest going to www.flylady.net and checking out Flylady's system of getting organized. It's free and has helped me IMMENSELY.
Super posts!
I too get completely overwhelmed much of the time - my only angel is 8 and severely autistic. Took 12 years to get pregnant. I love him, I HATE AUTISM. My family could CARE LESS and neither could my husbands - not one of them has watched him even ONE HOUR ever. Summer is very difficult. Very. I am blessed to see a wonderful therapist (if he just was not so darn good looking to distraction), and my husband (who I am faithful to in spite of above comment!) and I try to get away one or two nights a year. it is nto enough though....
Autumn......., seasons come and seasons go...
Bad feelings come & then they will go...And so will the good vibes... Wait for one that is soon to come round the corner...and enjoy it to its fullest...
DO I...I AM A MOM TO A SIX YEAR OLD WHO IS JUST LIKE HAVING A THREE YEAR OLD. HE CAN BEARLY DO FOR HIMSELF, HE IS LEARNING DISABLED, BIPOLAR, ADHD, AND SPEECH DELAYED PLUS I TEACH TWENY FIVE FOURTH GRADERS EVERYDAY. ONE THING THAT I AM LEARNING THROUGH THIS IS THAT YOU ARE HUMAN AND IT IS OKAY TO FEEL OVERWHELMED. YOU ARE ALLOWED. YA KNOW WHAT ELSE? IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THIS WAY FOREVER. THE SUN HAS TO COME OUT. IT CAN'T ALWAYS RAIN. HANG IN THERE AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE DOING THE BEST THAT YOU CAN AT THIS POINT IN YOUR LIFE. No...you are not alone. Right now I have a lump in my throat and just feel like crying...I want to lash out at family members for not giving a sh$t. Sometimes I become depressed and withdrawn. Not due autism itself but b/c of the overwhelming responsibilites of having an autistic child AND a toddler. A cranky toddler. When I am alone with one child or the other (very rare) we can have such a good quality time together, but when both are around sometimes I feel I have so much to do that I don't know what to do first and I just shut down. This is going to sound terrible, but when I shut down thank God for SpongeBob Squarepants. I feel sooooo guilty and heartbroken that my kids have to suffer because I have trouble dealing with it all. How do I get out of my "funk"? I have to remember that as my toddler gets older things will get much easier. And we are fortunate that Noah is verbal - not the best at expressing himself but you won't hear me complain. I am also fortunate enough to work-out three times a week at the YMCA. Their Childwatch is pretty good with Noah. That is my 3 hours a week to release frustrations and clear my head. Actually, the people at the Y are better with Noah than my family. I've made some aquaintances in the Y classes that I take, and sometimes talking to those people alone make me feel better. Another thing that helps is seeing the other kids in Noah's spec ed center...I have to remember that Noah could be much worse. I hope this helps. At least knowing that others are feeling like crap will help you feel not so alone
Take care.
I am also a single mom, and a full-time student. I feel like SUCH a sloth
when I get any downtime. I just don't have the energy to get things done, or
do something healthy like exercise or make social plans. I'm working on it,
though, because it really can be a downward spiral. A little exercise and
time with friends can go a long way toward recharging.
Like many of the moms on this post, I too take antidepressants (zoloft)--
they have made my life much better.
You have every reason to feel overwhelmed! But a visit to your dr. can help
if you are experiencing these feelings consistently for an extended period.
You are not alone in this. Good Luck.I was just wondering if any of you feel as overwhelmed/exhausted/lack energy/lack ambition...as I do? Or if you ever feel this way? And, if you do sometimes feel this way...what do you do to get out of it? I am just so tired I feel like I have no motivation to do anything. I hate feeling this way because I have a whole lot to do!
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