Can I please ask about medication

[dottyaboutstripes]

My dd is on quetiapine and mirtazapine.
Long term, is it likely that she will have to be on medication for the rest of her life? I don't know who to talk to about this, I know it's no picnic for her but I'm feeling so sad and alone lately and I'm worried about her (of course )

[AnxiousCarer]

Also, what support does DD have? Does she have a CPN?

[AnxiousCarer]

dotty its so hard seeing someone you love go through this and scarry too. Definately agree with what different says.

My DH has made multiple suicide attempts, its so hard supporting someone through this. What support do you have for you? When my DH was acutely unwell recently I kicked myself for not seeing it coming, until I discussed it with one of the CPNs in his team and he pointed out that the signs leading up to this event were different from previous ones, so how could I expect to spot them. It's so easy to blame ourselves for things, but not particularly useful to anyone when we do.

Fine can mean a lot of things, when I say I'm fine it may mean "I feel like crap but no worse than yesterday" DH will generally take it to mean "I'm feeling 100% well today" It may well be just a blip in what is an othetwise well managed condition. DHs CPNs see his latest crisis as just a blip as do I, but this blip involved police detention and emergency psychiatric assessment and has left me with PTSD.

DDs suicide is likely to have had a profound effect on you too, a delayed shock sounds likely. Have you seen your GP about how you have been affected?

[Itisnoteasybeingdifferent]

If she appears "well" it means her management is working. It can be very difficult to get you head round the difference between being ill and ill but well managed so appearing OK.

The risk is that someone starts to think they do not need the meds because they are working so well and they stop taking them. It really is a bit like a diabetic being OK as long as they inject insulin every day... But go without an injection and the blood sugar starts to build in an instant.

[dottyaboutstripes]

Her diagnosis was several years ago - she has recently taken her 3rd overdose
I think I'm in some kind of delayed shock tbh, she has seemed so "well" for a while now that this felt like it came out of the blue and I guess I'm rethinking where I'd thought she was in terms of her mental health. She's at uni nearby and we see her a lot, but she seems to feel like this was just a blip and she's "fine"

[AnxiousCarer]

Hi, completely echo what different said. Its normal to go through a grieving process when someone close to us is diagnosed with a long term condition. Feel free to talk here, it may also be worth considering councelling for yourself or talking things through with DDs MH team if that option is available.

Also Mirtazapine increases appetite and is notorious for causing weight gain so thats something to be aware of particularly if DD is young and you are still responsible for her diet etc.

[Itisnoteasybeingdifferent]

Of course you can talk about it here.
What is it you are upset about? That she must use meds to manage her situation, or that she has something which needs to be managed?

It is OK to be sad and upset. In your mind you are probably aware that people like diabetics and haemophiliacs. But that happens to other people not your family. Now you are coming to terms with something affecting you.. Talking to other people helps at times like this.