Hi, My Adult Daughter Has PTSD

[OkieMom]

Good Morning,
I'm zooming in on my 50th birthday very quickly, have lived in Oklahoma all my life, have 2 grown kids, a son and a daughter, and 4 grandkids.
My daughter was originally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but has since been re-diagnosed with ptsd, as she lost her best friend in a car accident they were both in when they were 15. That was 14 years ago.
And I'm struggling with the holidays this year.
In April, my daughter tried to commit suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning--with her children in the car. She's been in a county jail since then with a $500,000 bail. They've charged her with 2 felony counts of child abuse. We had the kids for emergency custody for over 6 months, then they sent them to their father's.
My husband was injured while working on an off-shore oil rig a few years ago and is in constant pain and state of aggravation. He's got this terrible anger towards our daughter and that's driven a wedge between us.
I work 60 miles from home so have a long commute each day. Fatigue, anxiety, and depression have become the core of my life.
I'm very glad to find this forum, and it looks like there's a lot of good information here, and a lot of good folks to talk to.

I didn't mean for this to be a whine-fest right off the bat, but this is my life and my where my focus is. :)

[empowered]

Hi Okiemom,

Welcome to the forum,:hello:there is lots of good information here.:Hug_emoticon:

[Harry]

Welcome Okiemom, yes indeed this is a great site and community. The carersection with infos and sharing will be a great support for you. Sounds like a pretty tough situation you are in, with your daughter, husband and yourself dealing with major emotional pain. Looking forward reading more from you. Welcome. harry

[Seeking_Nirvana]

Hi Okie, Welcome to the forum.

Peace
Tammy

[becvan]

Welcome to the forum, Okie.

bec

[OkieMom]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I've looked around the forum and can see there are many with problems much more severe than my daughter's.
I have my problems too, but they're mostly just a by-product of the main issue, which is Erin's emotional and physical problems. It didn't take me long to get to my doctor and have something prescribed for anxiety and depression. I couldn't have continued to work without that help. I spoke to a counselor a couple of times, but feel like we need to go as a family too, and work on husbands' anger, but he's "of the skepical mode" too. (I read that description elsewhere on this forum)
I try to keep a positive attitude, especially when talking to Erin, but usually things appear to be so bleak for her future that it's extremely hard to keep it together.
I found out from a doctor that's seen her while she's been incarcerated that she's had nightmares since the wreck. I never knew this. She's kept journals since the wreck. I never knew this either. She'd gotten addicted to pain killers and was stealing them from her dad. There's been so much deceipt and lying for so long that trust is going to be long in coming back. I want my daughter back. She's been in jail for several months, but she's been "gone" for much longer.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to having some like-minded folks to talk to here.
Thanks again,
Cindy

[She Cat]

Hi Okie,

Welcome to the forum.......I'm sorry that your life is so hard right now. I hope in the future things ease up a bit.

[Jim]

Welcome to the forum Cindy. My daughter also has PTSD. Always splendid to see other parents. Hope you are checking out the Carers section, lots of useful information to be had there. My wife and I will chat with you more after the holidays.

Jim.

[pandora]

Welcome to the forum!

[Nam]

Welcome Cindy.

[nie]

Welcome to the forum.

[Lisa]

Welcome Cindy... it sounds heartbreaking... I realise it's not just heartbreaking to those suffering it, but the families and friends too...

Glad you found us.