Family

[Daisydog401]

Is there an area in these postings for friends and family - where we can get tips and hints on the best way to support a family member who has this? Thank you and well done on providing this site. 

[Jay1]

Hi, there isn't a specific area, but it is a good idea... Please feel free to ask any questions you have here and we will try to help.

Thank you for supporting and researching... I see alot of people here who are scared to tell their family, or who have done and it has gone badly... So it is nice to see someone being compassionate.

[Daisydog401]

Hi. I am so very sorry to hear that some of you are not getting support from your families. This must be so very hard to deal with. if there were any way I could help I would. If any mothers/fathers/siblings/friends would like to make contact with me I would do my best to help them see how important it is to support and try to understand. Trying to understand is, of course, the challenge when you want to protect your child (of whatever age) from getting into this situation in the first place  Hindsight is so irritating and frustrating

i think your comments Jay on 'not spending too much time reading negative stories' and your new section on 'success stories' is a great idea

i am doing the best I can as a mother and often make errors by not recognising the signs that I need to stop looking/talking/doing something that is prompting an episode. But I think I am learning as I go along

i am very fortunate to have a son who is open with me and who is helping me to do the right thing

it is so very hard to see what has happened - just from one hit - and I want to shout from the rooftops to warn others of the real dangers.

why is this condition not more talked about and known about?

again I applaud what you are offering by having this support group

 

[Jay1]

It is still a very rare condition, so will never really get the support, resources and media coverage that, for instance, weed induced psychosis will. In the grand scheme of things, I am glad that this is a rare condition, as it would be a global crisis if even 1% of people who took lsd, mdma etc got hppd. But it does mean we are left in limbo in terms of medical support. Be vary wary if you do go to see a doctor about this... Don't let them prescribe anti psychotic or anti depression medications. They almost always make the situation worse, but alot of doctors will see that as the first line of treatment for anyone with drug induced issues.

It is very interesting that you touch on seeing the signs of when to stop talking, step away etc.... My wife has become an expert in this ... It took her alot of time to not take it personally when I would only answer seemingly normal questions with a distant 1 word reply.. Or had to cancel plans just to then sit in and watch tv... Sometimes I also want to protect her from the truth of how bad I am feeling, I want her to be happy. Sometimes the feeling that you are hurting other people is as hard as the internal pain. Stress is one of the biggest problems, so try to protect him from any stressful situations... Maybe ask him to make a list of the main stress triggers and try to avoid them for a while. If that means dropping out of school, work etc for a while.. It is worth it, at least for a few months... It's a bit of a fine balance between avoiding stress and finding a comfort zone that you might never want to come out of. The latter can become an excuse to not fight.... But for a few months, it can be good.

How long has your son been suffering? Feel free to keep asking questions here, or PM me.

Regards, Jay

[Daisydog401]

Hi Jay. Many thanks for your additiinal pointers 

how do I PM you? Can't seem to be able to do it

[Jay1]

Just click the username and you should see a "message" button