Mental Health Issues Need Quality Support!

I have first hand experience with mental health issues and the resulting low self esteem. 

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When my son Jason turned 20, he was diagnosed with schizo affective disorder.  This mental health issue has some of the delusional symptoms of schizophrenia combined with the depression of manic depressiveness.

His maternal Grandmother was institutionalized as a young woman with full blown schizophrenia back in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  It’s been said mental health problems can skip a generation. 

His Doctor at that time, told me, because Jason is on the lowest dosages of an anti-psychotic and anti-depressant, he could be off these medications in his life time, provided he keeps his stress levels low.

Over the years he has come very close to getting off the medications.  I have given him all kinds of support, including my time, my money and my love, understanding and inclusion.

In 2012 my girlfriend Louise and I helped Jason out of a rough spot he got himself into.  We also helped him get into the best housing situation he has even been in.  I thought things were going well.  Then everything turned into a bad nightmare. 

Jason went off his medication and lied about it to me.  He stopped keeping his place neat and clean.  To make a long story short, I ended up having to call the police in December 2012, because Jason had become so psychotic I couldn’t talk him down. 

He ended up in the hospital for 5 weeks.  His Doctor told me at the end of the 5 weeks, that though his thinking processes were more organized, he still didn’t have any insight or understanding.  For example  after 5 weeks in the hospital, Jason had no understanding of why he was in the hospital.

I also found out Jason would need to be on his medications for life regardless of keeping his stress levels low.  This had changed from the first Doctor’s prognosis.  I was floored!

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 I had 7 counseling sessions to help me deal with this situation and come to a level of acceptance concerning my son.  I still love him and always will. 

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Overcoming Mental Health Issues!

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Get The Right Medication And Stay On It!

If you or a loved one has a mental health issue it’s incredibly important to be on medication and be on the right kind of medication. 

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Be Supported By The Mental Health System!

 Stay attached to the Mental Health Support System.  My son has chosen not to do this.  He doesn’t feel it is necessary.  There is a lot of support here, including a community of like minded people; counseling services to help with communication issues and case workers who are there for patients in need.

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Be On A Healthy Diet!

As strange as this may sound, having a healthy diet, high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids, can help with the overall balancing of moods.  Foods like wild salmon, olive oil, avocados, and nuts and seeds are very beneficial. 

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Stay Connected To Family And Friends!

 Family and friends are important though sometimes it is hard to be accepting, compassionate and tolerant.  There is always some form of arrested development with people with mental health issues and a general feeling of low self esteem. 

I am still working on my level of acceptance concerning Jason.  I am a lot further ahead than when I first started. 

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Mental Health Issues can be challenging to deal with.  I know this from my experiences of my son.  However, with the right kind of support, the challenges can be a lot lot less.

The above picture is myself with my Daughter Erin, and my Son, Jason.

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