Thriving Again

Right after the first break-up, N rapidly experienced a second.  This was a rebirth of a long-term relationship.  They expected that they would reunite and reconnect, but both had changed.  Right after this, N began his second year at the University.  Within a few weeks, he had an opportunity that brought his load up to 19 credits.  I wasn't sure how the semester would go with the lingering waves of the break-ups, but he's held his own.  

His weight has stayed high enough that we only see very low levels of anxiety and OCD behaviors.  He continues to be more independent.  We still interact with him a fair amount and regularly check in with him about his anxiety and depression levels.  Those continue to stay low.  He has a better apartment, good roommates and a good friend group right now.  All of that, I think, is contributing to his current success.  

He'll be home for Christmas!  I'm so grateful.  

A Break-Up

It was inevitable, I suppose.  N experienced his first heart break as he ended an eight-month relationship.  I was worried about how he would do in terms of depression and potential weight-loss and return of OCD behaviors, but he's done okay.  He felt peace about his decision and though there has been a lot of sadness, his depression hasn't gotten too bad.

The one concern I do have is that he labeled himself as broken and described himself as a burden to anyone who might have a relationship with him.  I remember mulling over similar sentiments long ago myself, so I hope it's just a stage in the break up.

He also has been very flat.  I know that happens a bit with the medicine (that's what he blames).  It's making it hard for him to feel deeply.  He's at the end of the semester and there's a lot to be done.  He's busy, sad, and frustrated.   He'll be moving home for the summer to save money while working.  I hope that gives him a chance to recover and refocus.

Medication

This summer it will have been ten years since N's initial diagnosis of anorexia.  In the interim, we've discovered a significant genetic manifestation of anxiety and depression in our family.  Each of our children, around age eleven, has started to struggle.  We hoped that our baby would be the exception.  However, last night he had a full-blown panic attack.  He'll be eleven next month.  We are already helping him to compile a tool box full of strategies to help him deal with anxiety in those moments.  

N is actually doing better than he has in a long time.  We've tried a new strategy that seems to be working.  The stress of the semester continued to become a heavier and heavier burden.  We saw depression emerge at a completely different and dangerous level.  At the point that he started having suicidal thoughts, we knew it was time to intervene.  After consulting with his new doctor, we decided to try medication.  All this time, N has persisted without it.  

The amazing thing is that by the second day after starting the meds, he was already benefiting.  We use a scale to discuss depression in our home.  A "1" means you're doing well.  A "3" means you are feeling blue.  A "5" includes feeling blue with having occasional suicidal thoughts.  A "7" means constant suicidal thoughts and ideas of how to follow through are forming.  A "9" is the point where plans are in place and they are actively working toward them.  As we contemplated needing to get N additional help he was up in the 5s and sometimes as high as 7s.  Since going on the medication, he's had all 1s.  In fact one day he commented that maybe he needs a new scale because he is doing even better than the scale allows.  I'm amazed that it has made this much difference.  

He is on a med that addresses both anxiety and depression.  I suspect that N has lived with daily anxiety for so long that he (and we) didn't realize how much it affected him.  The meds usually take two or three weeks to really help with the depression, but they address the anxiety much more quickly.  That quick response suggests that the anxiety has continued to be a major contributor to his struggles.  I'd hoped that a reduction of anxiety would also help with anorexic issues, but those haven't completely gone away.  His weight is in a much better place, but he continues to look in the mirror and dislike what he sees.  The good news is that he is doing a great job of holding his weight instead of giving into those thoughts.