Posted by sl on June 4, 2004, at 10:34:41
In reply to Re: mind/brain, posted by seeknsolace on June 4, 2004, at 5:43:39
> For me personally, I've noticed my son's decline at two seperate occassions, first when I had started working more frequently (always been a single parent), which was also a the time when he entered the school system and also more recently when his dad was imprisoned 5 yrs ago.. since then with passing time, he has become increasingly more difficult. Symptomatic of ADD. I feel my lack of being able to emotionally deal with him, but I still try my best, that my weaknesses added to his illness.
(I have a few things to add to this discussion but I wanted to first state that I'm depressive, with many symptoms of ADD either related to the depression or the meds I use to treat it.)
First, realize that during this time you are not the only thing in his life changing. He is growing up, hitting puberty, etc. The increase in problems with your son may have nothing to do with you. Puberty brings a big surge of hormones, remember, and this is also the point where society starts expecting more of him in terms of responsibility. It's not easy being a "young adult".
Second, have you thought about it the OTHER direction from "I'm causing it by not being there"?
Perhaps you being around helps him deal with his symptoms better. He has them all the time but when you're around you're able to give him enuf support that they aren't so obvious. I have friends like that, who can talk me out of a budding depression. I have my meds to keep me from going too far down, but the friends can help me live a more normal life.Third: Find yourself a support group!!! There are some, I'm sure you can find one to help you deal with these guilt issues.
> So with both he and I having a difficult upbringing as children, is it a disease of the brain or the disease of a social society that brought us where we are today?
>I agree with what was mentioned above: I think it's a case of the brain-functioning not matching the pressures of our society and the available social roles. Perhaps he would have made an excellent hunter. :/
I'm going to TRY to do some research into how other cultures deal with these sort of things.
I'm not sure how much is written but I'm going to find out.And finally, I agree you should give meds a try. I also think he should take it every day. Besides having better effects when taken regularly, his symptoms may be affecting his life in ways he can't even notice, hampering friendships, keeping him from learning things he really WANTS to learn (like sports maybe?), etc. And plus if he tries it and hates how it makes him feel, then maybe he'll be more willing to try the diet & exercise thing. (meanwhile, you can explore simple substitutions in things you make, whole wheat pastry flour and splenda both come to mind as easy painless ways to reduce processed white flour and sugar.)
poster:sl
thread:353129
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040602/msgs/353718.html