Family history
- We have a strong family history of suicide, mental illness and drug addiction.
- My brother had died (the coroner stated suicide) two years after my husband died. He was a crystal meth addict and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
- My husband's sister committed suicide many years ago.
- My cousin committed suicide a couple of years ago. He had been a heroin addict and struggled with drugs his whole life.
- My sister attempted suicide and was in ICU in an induced coma for many days. She has bipolar.
- Another cousin has schizophrenia, and is a chronic drug addict.
- Other sisters of my late husband have attempted suicide and so has his mother.
- I've attempted suicide in years gone, I suffer from depression and a complex PTSD. I'm on medication and am strict about it, and combined with health issues which make it difficult for me to do things physically, it's put strain on everyone in the family.
- My son is 23, his father committed suicide when he was 9. Something he's never really come to terms with.
- He has a younger brother and sister,aged 17 and 16, respectively. They seem less affected by their dad's death, maybe because they cannot remember him.
Background
There was a lot of stress in our home when he was aged 14. My mentally ill sister was living with us and my mother. My sister was psychotic much of the time and would try to kill herself if I tried to get her to find another place to live. Finally I got her removed by the police. It was a difficult decision, as I was petrified she would commit suicide, but I was torn and distressed by the affect it was having on my children.
We had always been close, until he left home and went to live with his aunt (his dad's sister), who hated me and still does. She refers to me as a murderess and blames me for my husbands death. She also has no boundaries and would rubbish me in front of my son without any care to the damage she may have been doing.
She actually tried to get me arrested for murder, even though he gassed himself in his car, was sober and drug free and his fingerprints were on the tape and he left a note.
I know this as my son has since told me. I couldn't do anything to get him back, despite being locked in the court system for over a year, as he was too old.
His siblings and I didn't see him (maybe twice) until he turned 18.
By the time he came back into our lives, we had moved to a 3 bedroom home. There's only room for him if someone shares a bedroom. We had discussed him moving back in, and he's been reluctant. Although we've become close again and see him regularly.
Problem
By the time I saw him again he was smoking marijuana daily and has done ever since. He has also experimented with drugs and cannot stay away from them. Ecstasy, acid, some other designer drugs, crystal meth occasionally and cocaine.
He had a full blown psychotic/manic episode when he was 21 and was hospitalized. He came off the medication earlier than he was supposed to. He is still supposed to be on Lithium. He doesn't see a doctor about any of this.
He is in danger of losing his job and cannot return until his mental health has improved. He is now on indefinite unpaid leave.
He's bingeing on drugs and is not well, though sometimes he will be quite lucid and sound ok. I think this may be the drug taking.
He's moved into a dump, where he hasn't paid any rent yet and it's killing me to watch it. I find it difficult to talk about. Easier to write about. It's very draining.
His brother and sister are so supportive and help to keep an eye on him.
I don't know what to do. When I broach the subject with him, he always has a surprisingly and disarming logical argument for everything and I find myself even doubting he has a mental health issue. When I spent a few hours with him, it was clear he was unwell. He's a bit like a young child, it's really sad.
He is wary of me and anyone who confronts him about his mental health. He reacts badly to what he perceives as a betrayal, which in fact is an attempt to get him health care. My mother is talking to him and trying to get him to visit her.
I've called help lines. We've been through this, literally, dozens of times with my sister (and late brother) and she has been turned away from hospital many times, unwell. We have to wait until the person is past the point of no return in terms of psychosis.
I don't know what to do. He's not acute enough for an ambulance. I'm reluctant to call the mental health team. They will probably visit, but they're unlikely do anything at this point, which will cause another drama. I don't want to make the situation worse.
What I'm looking for
As a parent, how can I best help him? Is there anything I can do that will help? What can I do to help myself and my other children cope?
I know professional help is what is needed, but here I'm looking for emotional coping and parenting skills, rather than medical advice.
Edited to add: All family members have therapists.
