Is it easier for parent with autistic child to suffer from depression or self-es

1. 67

   Ingeniraposted 14 years ago

   Is it easier for parent with autistic child to suffer from depression or self-esteem problem ?

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   A la carteposted 14 years ago

   That is such a hard question to answer. I truly believe such a parent would be sad that their child had problems.How they coped would depend on their maturity and coping mechanisms as well as the support networks around them.

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   MPG Narrativesposted 14 years ago

   I know parents of Autistic kids and although they have bad days (who wouldn't) they are the most capable people I know. I agree with A la carte, it is a very hard question especially as everyone is different. People deal with difficult situations in different ways.
   
   Thanks for an interesting question.

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4. 69

   JillKostowposted 14 years ago

   As a parent of an autistic child I can answer you in regards to myself...I do feel depressed from time to time but I would not say that I suffer from depression.  I have my share of bad days that are a little depressing but so does everyone else.  As for having a self-esteem problem my answer would be yes and no.  I do not personally have low self-esteem, but when your child is having a meltdown in a public place and everyone is looking and staring at you it does affect your self-esteem at that moment.  All I can do is hang in there and be strong for my son because if he sees me depressed or with low self-esteem how would that effect him?  I think by smiling and holding my head up high will teach him to do the same, and that judgements made by others is just their own ignorance about autism!!

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   cobrienposted 14 years ago

   I read recently that there is a link between autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder and some of it is hereditary. I have an autistic son and have suffered severe depression but I am also bipolar and my depression symptoms started long before the birth of my son.
   Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Circumstantial depression can be caused by the difficulties of parenting an autistic child.
   All parents of special needs children have self esteem issues at some point and need all the reassurance and support they can get.

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   denise.w.andersonposted 14 years ago

   My daughter has Asperger's, a high functioning form of autism. Her older siblings all did well in school. When she came along, I couldn't seem to do anything right. It was very hard on my sense of self-worth.

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   msburgmanposted 14 years ago

   As a parent of an autistic child I have found that a lot depends on what your expectations are for the child and your self and understanding that there are going to be days, weeks and even month when little of what you do seem to work. If you accept this from the start then every hint of progress becomes a cause of celebration rather than focusing on what seems to be a lack of progress.  I say "seem" because there were many months at a time where it seemed like nothing was getting through then all of a sudden my child would say or do something that indicated that in fact things were getting through. While there are certainly moments of discouragement I learned not to dwell on things I could little about. A lot also depends on the strength of the support system you have  developed. I have been blessed with family and friend support without which I would have become loony bin material!

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   ladyt11posted 14 years ago

   I agree with JillKostow! I personally don't have a low self-esteem problem but sometimes it is very trying and frustrating dealing with an autistic child. But most of the time its because you want to do more and you don't know what to do so, all I can do is stand there, talk softly to my daughter when she is going through at the moment and be strong. I keep hanging in there because I love her and in the end that's what gets you through. Jillkostow says, "if he sees me depressed or with low self-esteem how would that effect him." I so agree, sometimes we will show frustration but it is so important to show strength as well. I believe that we are living epistles read of all men, smile and hold your head up your child will read this and he/she will do the same, inwardly and outwardly!

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