2 - Parental Caregiver Accounts

Summary

I’m a member of ‘the human race’, as well as being a mother of four children. My middle child was diagnosed with a mental illness in 2016. I experienced some different emotions during that difficult time. I was so frightened regarding my son’s unusual behaviour. I could not understand what was happening, or why this was happening within my family. At times, I felt angry because everything seemed to be out of my control. I began to isolate myself. I could not even tell my family or friends in the first instances; it was too embarrassing. I did not want to speak to anyone. I felt so disappointed in myself; I thought I had failed in my duties as a mother. Sometimes, the feeling of guilt would consume me so much. My stomach would constantly be in pain. My head and heart would always be pounding so loud. My sleeping patterns were altered so much that I could not remember if I managed to close my eyes at times during those bleak nights.