Illustration courtesy of Psychology Today.
(3-2-20) I published an inspiring blog last June about parental guilt written by Faith Tibbetts McDonald, an author and fellow parent of an adult son with a serious mental illness. I met Faith after giving a speech and am thrilled that she has continued to write about her journey in a new book, offering thoughtful advice based on her own experiences.
Am I a helicopter parent? Or healthy in my fierce efforts to ensure my son’s mental health?
By Faith Tibbetts McDonald, author of On The Loving End Of Crazy.
One gray day last winter, I noticed that my adult son who suffers bouts of major depression and usually stops by our house for coffee on his way to work had not stopped by for two days in a row.
I called his phone. The call went straight to voice mail.
The symptoms of depression ticked through my mind: fatigue, excessive sleeping, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness. Sometimes, thoughts of suicide.
I drove to his apartment. The mile and a half seemed longer than usual.
His car was in the driveway. He hadn’t gone to work.
To calm my anxious thoughts, I inhaled slowly and let myself in to his house.
