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With the history of mental illness in my family I have been ever vigilant about educating my kids about what is “normal” and what needs professional medical advice.
One of my twins came to me and said he thinks he needs to talk to the doctor about mood stabilizers. I’m definitely going to take him in to see my doctor. I battled severe depression and mood swings as a teen and I know it’s a horrible feeling. I have suspected he has had bouts of minor depression.
He’s a bit of a hypochondriac. He got one of those boil type zits in his ear lobe and he worked himself into a frenzy because he genuinely thought it was cancer. He strained his wrist and believes that there is something seriously wrong with it (it’s been checked, it’s just a strain that bother’s him once a year or so. The doctor has given him strengthening exercises). It’s fine if he wears a brace for overnight when it’s bothering him. He also stated today that he hasn’t really eaten (when I know for a fact that he has) in several days because he feels “full” all the time. He’s not doing it for attention, when he made the comment today that he hasn’t eaten since Friday because he feels full, I was able to say what I saw him eat every day since, the reason he’s feeling full, is because he’s eating. These concerns are very real to him.
I’m not one of those mothers that brings the kids to the doctor for every sniffle or sneeze. I take them when I suspect an ear infection on an issue that basically needs a doctor, an infection, injury, or severe illness.
I’m taking this seriously, but I worry that I’ve projected my own issues onto him. He’s not the twin that had anger issues, but I’ve tried to emphasize personal responsibility as well. (ie Just because someone’s rude to you, does not give you license to respond in kind).
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I've been married for 24 years and have four wonderful children.
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