As a mother, my intuition told me that something was amiss with my daughter, Deborah. Despite my concerns, most doctors dismissed her behavior as typical "terrible twos" or stress from my divorce. From pregnancy to delivery, everything felt different. By age two, Deborah exhibited explosive behavior, head-banging, night terrors, and wall-kicking. Her first psychiatric evaluation at 2 ½ came back "normal." As she grew, her behavior remained challenging but manageable with creative parenting and close monitoring. By third grade, she was diagnosed with ADHD and medicated, but I still sensed something was off. A second opinion revealed additional diagnoses: OCD, ODD, depression, and anxiety. Medication helped, but side effects persisted. School became a struggle, with inconsistent grades and a lack of interest. Things took a turn for the worse in August 2000 when 14-year-old Deborah was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, characterized by drastic mood swings. This diagnosis brought relief and an emotional rollercoaster. I felt compelled to "save" her, but Deborah was in denial and resisted help. I educated myself, joined advocacy groups, attended conferences, read books, and networked with parents and schools. I took Family Medical Leave to monitor Deborah, but she felt controlled and lashed out. I realized she had to want help. Despite school struggles and available options, Deborah resisted. I balanced elation, anger, and heartbreak. I continued to educate myself, focusing on personal growth. This experience reprioritized my life and led to soul-searching. I thank the Lord for this journey, which brought clarity and personal growth. My heart aches for Deborah, and each tear represents my love. I hope she gains something from this experience, even if she doesn't realize it now. I pray the pain will be worth the gain.
From the moment I was pregnant with Deborah, I sensed something was different. The labor and delivery were unusual, and by the age of two, Deborah's behavior was alarming. She exhibited explosive tantrums, head-banging, night terrors, and wall-kicking. Despite my concerns, her first psychiatric evaluation at 2 ½ came back "normal."
As Deborah grew older, her behavior remained challenging but somewhat manageable with creative parenting techniques and close monitoring. By third grade, she was diagnosed with ADHD and medicated, which helped to some extent. However, I still felt something was off. A second opinion revealed additional diagnoses: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), depression, and anxiety. While medication helped, side effects were always a concern. School became increasingly difficult, with inconsistent grades and a lack of interest.
In August 2000, when Deborah was 14, she was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. This mental illness is characterized by drastic mood swings. The diagnosis brought a mix of relief and emotional turmoil. I felt compelled to "save" her, but Deborah was in denial and resisted any help I offered.
As a mother, I believed I could "fix" everything and make her life "normal." I educated myself, joined parent advocacy groups, attended conferences, read books, and networked with other parents and schools. I took Family Medical Leave to closely monitor Deborah, but she felt controlled and lashed out even more. I realized that Deborah had to want help; nothing could be forced upon her.
Deborah's school performance continued to decline, and despite numerous available options, she resisted any form of help. I constantly fought the urge to push my knowledge and ideas on her, believing that "mother knows best." Instead, I tried to be subtle, retreating to my bedroom to cry when she lashed out. I struggled between elation when she was in a good mood, anger when she wouldn't speak to me, and heartbreak when she swore at me.
I continued to educate myself, focusing on personal growth rather than pushing it on Deborah. This experience forced me to reprioritize my life and take a stand for what I believed in. I did a lot of soul-searching and made personal decisions I had been putting off. This journey placed me outside my comfort zone, but it was a process of personal growth.
I thank the Lord for this journey, which has brought clarity and personal growth. My heart aches for Deborah, and each tear I cry represents my love for her. I hope she gains something from this experience, even if she doesn't realize it now. I pray that all the pain will be worth the gain.
This journey has been a profound experience of personal growth and reprioritization. While my heart aches for Deborah, I remain hopeful that she will find her own path to healing. I pray that all the pain will ultimately be worth the gain, and that both Deborah and I will emerge stronger from this experience.
Exploring the Majestic Landscapes of America's West
Discover the awe-inspiring beauty of America's western landscapes, where the rush of daily life gives way to the tranquility of nature's masterpieces. This journey through the rugged terrains of Nevada and Utah, often referred to as "God's Country," reveals the transformative power of travel and the profound impact of connecting with the environment. From the neon lights of Las Vegas to the serene vistas of the Valley of Fire, experience a Christmas adventure that redefines the holiday spirit and leaves a lasting impression of the region's natural wonders.
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In Michigan we were having an unusual warm spell. For about six weeks, since ... it had been in the 40's, 50's, and even the 60,s - with rain, not snow. That was quite unusual and we were all ex
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