Mental Health
 

We are having more hiccups with one of our sons, 20. He has serious mental health issues and refuses medication. I'm reading a book recommended by NAMI - I Am Not Sick I Don't Need Help. It is helpful to know that these issues are common, and there's tips on how to talk to your loved one to get them to a point where they might agree to treatment. Just wondering if others have been there and have any other suggestions. Unfortunately, the root of his problems are mental health related and there's only so much we can do if he refuses help. Sigh. Parenting adults is HARD sometimes!

Does he have a friend that he is close to that he would be open to talking to? Perhaps hearing it from someone other than family would help.. I'm not sure. Big hugs!

No advice but just wanted to send hugs and positive thoughts for you to find a way to help him.

I hope you find some way to help. Are there parenting groups on Facebook that could help with this? I feel like these days you can find groups for anything.

Sending you hugs. Parenting adults IS hard. Our oldest daughter (my step) has some mental health concerns and refuses to take meds as well. Unfortunately she doesn't listen to any one.

Thank you. He doesn't have many friends. He likes my sister and she tries to get through to him and has some success in some areas but she has told him he doesn't need medication. Not helpful.

Thanks Rae!

I hadn't thought of FB Lea! Duh!

I'm sorry you're going through similar Kiana. Hugs! I hope things go better there than they are here. I keep trying to remind myself to look at the bigger picture. He's doing better than a year ago. Big picture!

Hugs, Cindi! I am no help at all here, but really hoping you'll figure it out somehow. ;)

I wish I was more of a help to you, but I just wanted to say I'm sorry you have to deal with this. I hope you get some answers and all the help both of you need. Hugs. :wub:

Ask him if he got cancer or diabetes would he take medication for those things? People often forget that mental issues are often physical issues with actual chemical imbalances. Talking is great, but sometimes more help is needed. If surgery, chemo, getting a cast, etc. would make his life better for certain situations, maybe medication might make his life better with this condition.

I hope everything works out for him (and you)! (((HUGS)))

This is what worked with my son. He's not an adult yet, 15, but 14 when we started medicine for his add/adhd. He had refused for 3 years to even try it. And now he sees how much it helps.

I pray and hope you are able to get him the help he needs.

Thanks Cindi. Hugs back to you. She's 25 and on her own. We'll bring it up every so often, but for the most part, we just pray for her. :hugs:

I've used that exact argument. Tried to explain that that with his brother's disease, too. Unfortunately it hasn't worked yet. Maybe someday!

That's awesome that your son has the awareness that the medication is helping him Stacy!

I'm so sorry, Cindi. As we've talked about before, our older son deals with mental health issues. Thankfully he is taking his m fine, but we can't get him to go to counseling.
It seems common for people with mental illness to neot take their meds.unfortunately that leaves those around them to deal.
Sending big hugs and keeping you in my prayers ❤️��

Sending you a big hug and to let you know that my messages are open for us to talk privately about this and mental health matters! It's hard dealing with these "adult" children when it comes to mental health and sometimes you just need to know you aren't alone--and you aren't! :wub:

Inbox me here, but preferably on FB if you need/want to talk