Adult Child of Crazy Helicopter Parents

I’ve taken several other medications since early childhood and quit to do alternative treatments. While I’m still doing alternative treatments, my doctor also suggested trying methylphenidate again for the time being. I asked about Sttratera, but apparently it’s not covered by my insurance? It also takes over a month to take effect, so I was told to wait until the end of the current semester.

I’m a college senior, but I commute from home so I can graduate without any debt. I’m leaving home once I graduate in a little less than 6 months. Graduating without debt, having an employable degree, and plenty of money to support myself sounds good, but it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. My parents (mostly my mother) are driving me nuts.

My mother is all for medication except she doesn’t like psychiatric medication. She flipped out when she found out I got the prescription filled and will not stop telling me “Oh that stuff is so bad!” She begs me to stop taking it and even tried to take my prescription. I’ve tried explaining to her that this is a very low dose and the doctor wouldn’t have recommended it if it was harmful. It’s safe, yet she thinks otherwise. I keep telling her I’m an adult and now legally responsible for making my healthcare decisions. She treats me as if I’m a little girl and will even resort to calling the doctors to try to get information from my medical files. And taking my keys so I can’t go anywhere. She doesn’t want me to move out once I graduate and is trying to make it very difficult for me to graduate and leave. Dealing with this stuff is cutting into my school time, which isn’t helping the matter at all.

I’ve been in and out of counseling since I was 5. My untreated ADHD has taken a toll on everything from school, to work, driving, hobbies, social life etc. I can’t even gain enjoyment from hobbies because of my distractibility and restlessness. This is leading to a great deal of depression and withdraw. I’ll cry and cry and not talk to anyone for days. My mother uses this to her advantage and will say things like “Psychiatric medications will keep you from getting a job.” And “How will you graduate and live on your own when you cry all the time.”

Ugh! I’m at a loss of what to do. This is literally a living nightmare!

it certainly sounds like your mother isn't doing you any favors or building your self esteem. it sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and will figure it out. good luck

Thanks for the encouragement. I hope so!