Son took an overdose. Struggling to cope

[dontforgettofloss]

Trigger warning, overdose
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two weeks ago, my 20 year old son took an overdose of beta blockers, he’s ok thankfully, but it came out of the blue, although I knew he was suffering with anxiety.

It was a completely normal day, he’d been joking around with his younger brother (he still lives with me) and I went out to run an errand. I drove back home and there was an ambulance following me, at this point I didn’t know about the overdose, my phone was ringing but I was driving and didn’t hear it.

When the ambulance pulled up outside my house I felt sick to my stomach and ran inside, to my 22 year old daughter telling me her brother had taken an overdose, I was so frightened, he was crying and not coherent.

Luckily he was sick straight after and told his sister straight away, we went to the hospital and they kept him in overnight, I wasn’t able to stay with him because he’s an adult and he had an awful panic attack and had to have some lorazepam.

He hasn’t told me why he took the tablets, and he’s getting support and seems a lot better (I think he scared himself) but that’s not why I’m posting, I’m posting for me, because my mental health was shot even before this happened, and now?
I’m a nervous wreck, I’m having terrible nightmares, terrified to leave the house except to go to work in case he tries again, shaking a lot and just feeling dread in the pit of my stomach.

What do I do? I’m sorry for rambling, I’m just struggling to get my head around it all and stop worrying about my son, about all of my children (I have 3 others, one with additional needs)
I’m already on fluoxetine, I’ve tried counselling, i just couldn’t gel with the counseller, I feel like I’m losing the plot, please help

My son took several overdoses as a teen. It is so difficult to deal with and I still get flashbacks to seeing him in the bed and thinking he was dead. I think I suffer PTSD and I think you probably are suffering too. It might be worth going back to see your dr?

Thank you so much for your reply, and I’m sorry you’ve been through this. I keep having flashbacks too, and awful nightmares where he’s dead. I don’t know if anyone can help me

You poor thing. Have you tried online counselling? There are some free ones, run by the NHS and it might help to talk to someone not personally involved. There are always the Samaritans as well, who are willing to listen, online or over the phone. I hope you and your son get the help you need. Take care of yourself. You are not alone. 🤗

I’m sorry to hear what a tough time you’ve had. I’m glad he’s ok and getting the help he needs.

I agree. I think you need go contact your GP about help for yourself. Medication and/or therapy. EMDR would be the therapy I would consider after your experience. I’m no expert but my understanding is that PTSD happens when trauma isn’t processed properly by the body and mind. A lot of people go through a traumatic experience, find it hard but are able to process it healthily afterwards and move on. PTSD happens when the trauma isnt processed. Usually maladaptive coping mechanisms are already evident before the trauma and can be traced back to maladaptive coping mechanisms developing in childhood. There is a book called The Body Keeps the Score which is good. In our area, you can self refer for counselling services. I would also speak to your GP though. I think medication even in the short term is an option worth considering. All the best.

Thank you for the replies. I’m already on medication, which may need to be increased, I just don’t know where to start, I’ve had a lot of trauma even before this happened, I’ll speak to my GP

Sorry you've been through this op. At this stage it's important to talk about what's happened, ask your gp for a referral for talking therapy or even ring something like samaitans, or talk to a trusted friend - we have evolved to share traumatic experiences, not to deal with them by ourselves. Talk it through as much as you need to, that makes it less likely the memories get "stuck" and cause ptsd.

My dd 15 took paracetamol in huge amounts. Twice. The second time I actually refused to go with her to hospital . I thoroughly expected to have an actual heart attack... Was under a cardiologist at the time.

Been over 2 years.. Still makes me anxious when she isn't 'well'..
There was no signs or explanation..
Look after yourself op.

So sorry to hear that op, In may last year my then 22 year old son ran his car off the road at speed, with the intention of ending things. Thankfully he was ok, no one else was hurt, was 4am in middle of nowhere. I struggle with it every day, I think everyone else thinks it’s ok as he’s fine - saw mental health nurse etc and we’ve talked: I also have nightmares I can’t sleep if I know he’s out, I want to know where he is etc it’s overwhelming, you just want them to be happy and safe but there is so little you can do to help and you also have to live yourself. I’ve not been to drs for help/medication perhaps I should.

But it helps knowing I’m not unusual in feeling as I do, it was a massive trauma seeing him all smashed up, his lovely car he worked so hard for ruined and the repercussions for car/police/job since. Not to mention the worry he may succeed if he tried again.

@dontforgettofloss
@Lemonade2011
I suffer from PTSD , I was prescribed Paroxetine it 100% helped and continues to help. I was told by my GP it is one of two main medications for PTSD.
I was prescribed the lowest dose and have not increased it as it worked almost from day 1. Everyone is different though, some people like to say it is bad and difficult to come off , however I feel that I couldn't have got through the last 4 years without it, am very grateful to have been given the help and hopefully in 12 months time I will be in a position to titradown under the GPS super. Love to you both.

Hi. Dol. Can I ask why you refused to go to the hospital as I don’t understand? Thanks