does it ever get any better?

[jwende]

My 22 year old son has been spinning away from us since his diagnosis of severe episodic depression when he was 20. He has stopped all medication and before cutting off contact with us was hospitalized twice to no avail. I read here about the "silent treatment" and this is what we are dealing with now. I feel like we'll never see or speak to him again, and I am dvastated as well as constant worry w/self harm, suicide. Do these people ever get ove this terrible disordr?

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[DreamGirl]

Hi there, jwende. Welcome to our little family.

I'm so sorry that you're struggling so much with your son.  

What lead up to his hospitalizations? Was there any plan for treatment?

[lbjnltx]

They can learn skills to manage their emotions, alter their belief systems and correct their thinking errors.

In the interim we, as their parents, can help ourselves by learning to be supportive, communicate beneficially for them and our relationship with them, and learn coping skills to stay sane.   

lbj

[qcarolr]

They can learn skills to manage their emotions, alter their belief systems and correct their thinking errors.

In the interim we, as their parents, can help ourselves by learning to be supportive, communicate beneficially for them and our relationship with them, and learn coping skills to stay sane.    

lbjnltx says this so well! She has helped me so much over the years I have been on this support forum. As I have put more energy on taking care of myself and learning/practicing the skills learned here, the better my connection to my DD29 has become.

Most often our kids contact us again. Even if it is months away, they most often come back when they need something. This is a good break to learn all you can. The "Tools" at the right was a good place to start for me. Check it out and let us know how we can help.

qcr