tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974277605494446707.post5746439515931319898..comments2023-03-26T10:21:51.561-04:00Comments on The Pear Tattoo: Mental IllnessTaylor Sawyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14579492265546790355noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974277605494446707.post-88196107698935016522011-05-14T21:36:59.585-04:002011-05-14T21:36:59.585-04:00I know how you feel. While we don't have a rea...I know how you feel. While we don't have a real diagnosis, it is generally understood that Ida will have anxiety because it usually just goes hand in hand with autism, and because I have depression/anxiety. The psychologists she's seen just seemed to act like it was matter of course. We also have a genetic defect in my family that causes early onset Alzheimers. My dad has it now, my grandfather and his sister had it, my great grandfather and his brother had it, etc. I have a greater than 50% chance of getting Alzheimers around 50 and dying around 60. It's bad enough that I am leaving the burden of caring for me through that to my husband and kids, but if I do get it, that means they have at least a 50% chance themselves, and Ida has a statistically greater chance. I try not to think about it, because when I do, I start to wonder if I just should have kept myself out of the gene pool if you know what I mean. My brother is getting married, and he and his fiancee have said that they won't have children in part because they don't want to pass on these genes. Naturally that makes me feel like I'm a real jerk for having kids. If you want to talk/complain, let me know.Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16391693778175905203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7974277605494446707.post-71884643119842414302011-05-14T17:13:49.287-04:002011-05-14T17:13:49.287-04:00I know what you said we would all say it isn't...I know what you said we would all say it isn't your fault (and while I agree)... I won't say that. <br /><br />As a mother who struggles with mental illness in herself, her husband and one of her 4 children, I try to look on the bright side of it (is there a bright side to mental illness???) because of my own mental illness I do in fact know what my child is going through, because I watch for the signs in myself and my husband, I also know how to help my daughter. And because you know the signs, symptoms etc you too will be able to help your son better... <br /><br />You are an amazing mother and your children (all of them) are lucky to have you.... Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you all turn this new page in the book of life and remember... People are here for you!!!Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09370039794471275243noreply@blogger.com