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Scared for my son!!!!

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Posted 12/9/2010 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I need advice.....I have a 23 year old son who has panic attacks. I do as well, I have had them for 13 years now. I used to be here everyday, and i always felt better by the wonderful people here with the same problems. so, my son just got thrown in jail, long story but....what is that going to do to him!!! Make him worse im afraid.  He lost his drivers license a few months ago from having 2 wrecks from panicking and blacking out. I myself have never blacked out from them. I have arrythmia, and i get scared with that, but not blackouts confused . Anyway all that i can take him at this time is paper, envelopes and stamps. Is there anything ?I can tell him to do that will help in any way possible....hes the most loving thing, everyone loves him, he just got with the wrong people....anyway, any suggestions? I'm at my wits end just sitting at home and worrying about him.

shell

Posted 12/9/2010 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Shell,

I'm so sorry to hear about your son's difficulties! The first thing I'd do is encourage him to see a doctor to see whether anything can prevent the actual blacking out. That's a hard way to live, never knowing when you'll be physically out of control for a bit.

Is he allowed reading materials? I wonder if any of the anxiety/panic workbook-type things would help?

Blessings to you and your son for a genuine solution,
percycat
Posted 12/9/2010 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Shell, sorry to hear about your son. I don't know much about the penal system and specific health needs, but I would think that they would address such things as acute anxiety, as they would a physical problem.
Act as his advocate. Talk to someone in charge of the inmate's medical needs, and let them know what is going on. He may be eligable for special treatment of some kind.
Take care during this difficult time,
Scaredy Cat
Posted 12/9/2010 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Wow Shell that's a tough situation for the both of you! First off, I want to remind you to take care of yourself. I'm sure your instinct is to protect your baby, but don't leave yourself out. Having your own anxiety flare up won't help him any. In fact, the things you learn (have learned) to help with your own anxiety can be written to him in a letter providing him both ideas as well as a connection to you.

Then I would concur with Percycat. If he's blacking out are you positive that it's anxiety and anxiety alone? Is it possible that he has panic attacks for example because of something medical that causes the blackouts? I'd definitely be anxious driving if I constantly had in the back of my head "what if I blackout on this highway?". Even someone in jail is entitled to medical care.

Can I ask... is he in jail because of the lost license and blackouts or something unrelated? If it's tied into the blackouts and the blackouts are tied to a medical condition (and panic disorder is just as legitimate a condition as anything else - which you already know) then can he see a counselor? Punishing a person for a medical ailment won't change the behavior. Even if it's an unrelated issue, he should still be allowed to continue with some form of counseling. And I also like Percycat's idea about workbooks and such. If he can't have an entire book, then you could always skim through a workbook and give him a few pages torn out in an envelope, along with articles, a chapter from a book, etc. on anxiety/panic...
Posted 12/14/2010 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the help! I have been so scared i cant think really well, its been a rough road. And thank you fugs, you are right, i have gotten worse just thinking about him, I just keep thinking, thats my baby in a lil cell, crying in a lil cot....
He has been to a doc, but he is indian, and in oklahoma they have clinics free for people who are indian, but..the drawback to that is they dont have the best doctors, most of them are forgien doctors and treat him like there is nothing wrong. I know so far they havent given him his panic meds, and having an attack in jail has just made it harder for him, because of the mean idiots in jail that dont understand whats going on with him, they call him names and everything else. We go to court soon, and i pray i can get him out of there and into a rehab system, i was embarassed and left out the part of him being addicted to oxycotton, or you should say, synthetic heroin.....which that in itself i would think could make them worse. I dont know, but its just a lose lose situation. It is a wonderful idea to get him a workbook or anything i can find about them and see if i can get it in with the paper and envelopes. Im sorry to be a pain, im just so scared for my baby. i say that, hes 23lol. oh well, he will always be my baby, one of them anyways. He really has had quite a few concusions in the past years of adulthood, that probably has something to do with it, i didnt realize that until he told me a few days ago. He also had spinal menengitis at two months of age, but he really didnt have any after effects from that, not that i know of anyway, he was blessed and they caught it quick enough to get rid of it before it left him brain damaged, so they said. I just have to get him out, and get him to a good doc.....thank you for your help, keep your prayers for him please, Im trying to keep sane...
Posted 12/14/2010 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi shell, I am sorry to hear of these worries concerning your son. I have a grown daughter (and one still at home) and it is difficult to see her making mistakes as a young adult.
You spend the better part of two decades, protecting them, keeping them safe from harm, and then you're just expected to let go! It's the hardest thing that a mother has to do:'(
I will keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers. Good job on looking into a rehab facility now, before his release, as you will want to get him going on recovery as soon as possible!
Peace and strength to you during this difficult time.
Scaredy Cat
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