Use Medication With A Dose Of Caution

Dear Parent,

I am really clear now about the neurochemical damage to children caused by risk during stressful or drug-toxic pregnancies, birth trauma, maltreatment, neglect, abuse, and attachment breaches at any age.

When my children were very little, I was desperate to get them under control and I couldn't find anyone at the time locally who could really help me.  I turned to our local UC Davis Mind Institute where chemical restraints were readily prescribed.  No one there was prepared to help me with parenting. 

As the years went by and the behaviors persisted, shifted, and morphed into the unimaginable, I allowed the psychiatrists to pile on medications. The medications had side effects that were being remedied by other medications that had side effects, which needed yet more medications.  It was a crazy, medical merry-go-round. 

Honestly, I am torn about medicating people.  I know it can act miraculously sometimes. I, personally, use medication to manage my dysregulation because nothing else has worked for me. Medication is easy but the work of changing a damaged brain is extremely hard and may be impossible for someone who needs to work and parent children from difficult beginnings.

The jury is still out for me.  I know some children and adults need it like they need medication for any other medical condition.  I also know that some mental health medications can be replaced by neurofeedback, alternative supplement precursor therapies, a slower pace, mindfulness practices, therapeutic parenting, and stress reduction strategies.

I wish I had the answer.  What I know is that every child and family has a limit to how long they can be on a roller coaster of emotional upset.  

Chemical support is sometimes the only path forward.  Shame is not required.

Love matters,

Ce

P.S. Are you pulling your hair out trying to figure out the best way to parent your child from difficult beginnings? Get some real support here: The Love Matters Parenting Society. Honestly, you probably need this.

P.S.S. You can also grab a copy of Drowning With My Hair On Fire: Insanity Relief for Adoptive Parents by yours truly. Parents really appreciate this bite-sized, inspiration.